What should I look for when choosing a preschool for my daughter?

Question

She's three, and our first, so I have no idea what to ask or what to look out for. Does curriculum matter? What do 3 year olds learn in preschool, anyway?

Answer 1

At this age, most of your "curriculum" is based upon thematic units and the skills that those teach.  For example, I might work on the unit dinosaurs with my class, but I will include lots of literacy activities, math and premath skills, science, social studies, gross motor (big muscle movements), fine motor skills (hand movements and coordination), and much much more.  Any program that has a set continuum of what a three year old will learn might not exactly be the best choice.  NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) would be a great place to start in regards to finguring out all of this mess.  Beyond that...I am including several websites to help you out.  

http://www.rightchoiceforkids.org/

http://www.naeyc.org

http://www.teachingstrategies.com/page/P...

http://www.acei.org/parents.htm

http://www.ed.gov/parents/earlychild/rea...



Hope this helps....

Answer 2

well, you have a lot of things to consider here. The first step you must take is to visit the school you are considering. Choose those within a reasonable distance from your home. Young children should not be enrolled in schools where they will spend hours on the road no matter how strongly your friends recommended them to you. Look for the following: 1. outdoor area ( a paved area, grass for running, etc.) 2. equipment-indoor and outdoor (should be sturdy and safe, varied and attractive) 3. teachers (consider how the teachers handle the children) 4. teacher-pupil ratio (for threes the ratio is 7 to an adult) 5. school-home relations ( a close rapport bet. home and school is impt.

        In preschool, especially for 3 years old, socialization is their main goal here, knowing to mingle and adjust with other kids, motor development, more on "learning while playing."

       WHATEVER YOUR SITUATION IS, DO NOT FEEL PRESSURED INTO ENROLLING YOUR YOUNGSTER IN A SCHOOL.

Answer 3

I taught elem and preschool and the most important thing to me is that it is not stressful, no pushing wee ones. they learn by playing and if they are pressured before they are ready, it is a sure way to create a dislike for learning. I think the most important part of preschool is the socialization with other kids. Sure, they can learn a lot, but emotional growth and socialization are key until first grade.

Answer 4

that truly depends on whats important to you for me some of these things i knew to look for others i sort of stumbled upon

1)wanting a small class size for more individual attention

2)the location is it in a safe part of town?

3)how is the secutity? do you have to be buzzed in or can just anybody walk in

4)the teachers how long have they had experiance do you view them as friendly does your child react well to them (as well as any child would for not knowing them LOL)

5)are you concerned about the menu? do you follow strict diet or religious regulations

6)check their emegency policys make sure they have plans in place where will they go if something happens? ask if they check ids against the contect list you give them when someone is picking up your child

7)is there suffeciant room for indoor and out door play

8)is your daughter potty trained some faculitys wont take kids unless they can use the potty

9) the ciruclum can depend do you want structure (this is going to come out wrong but) were they force your kids to learn or are you more relaxed and belive in learning through play

10)is the class room broken into diffrent sections quit time pretend playect

11) are there fild trips or people who come to the school like my sons day care takes weekly walks to the libray and as a class makes snack one day a week on top of all the daily things

12) will she need to be droped off or is busing available

13)do you want half day? full day? a couple days a week or mon-fri?

ok thats all i can think of at the moment LOL

some of these things arent as important as others but their all things you may want to concider before making a choice

Answer 5

I teach three year olds to enjoy learning. It is a time for them to want to come to school. Yes there is positive and redirecting for discipline. Children learn to play together, they learn to socialize. It is a time for them to listen to teachers and peers. They need to feel safe and know that they are heard by their teachers. I like to have a flexible schedule, open ended projects and age appropriate activities. Be sure to observe before you enroll your child. Once alone, one time with your child and also after she is in the class. See if it is accredited and make sure there are the right amount of adults in the classroom. Good luck.