Let me just say, choosing a preschool has evoked emotions in me that I haven’t felt since applying to colleges 15 years ago! And to be honest, my school pro/con list looks pretty much the same this time around, too. My son just turned 2.5 this month, so I thought I had plenty of time to ponder our options. I was shocked when a mom friend told me that her child was wait-listed only a few days after registration began this spring! I immediately put touring preschools on my list for fall so that we wouldn’t fall behind!
First of all, you have to know what your options are. I searched in local mom Facebook groups for recommendations and made a list of preschools that came up frequently. There is also good ole Google, but be wary of sponsored listings in results as well as on sites like care.com. Maybe I’m old fashioned, but I like first-hand reviews!
Once I had my list of prospective preschools, I came up with some criteria to evaluate each and brainstormed questions to have answered.
I created a template to keep all my questions and answers in one place, and I am sharing that today with you!
Questions to ask when choosing a preschool:
Basic information:
- Name of school
- Address and phone number
- Website
- Contact name and email address
Program information:
- Accreditation
- Operating days/hours available
- Student ages
- Class size and teacher-student ratio
- Tuition
Educational philosophy:
- Does the school follow a specific curriculum or style, such as Montessori?
- How much time is spent in an outside play space?
- How do you handle discipline? Conflict resolution?
Classroom:
- What level of education do the teachers in my child’s prospective classroom have?
- How long have they been at this school?
- How do teachers communicate with parents once the school year has begun?
- Does the school send regular progress reports?
- What enrichment programs are offered and how often? Are they included in tuition? (language, music, etc.)
- Where do most students go on to attend Kindergarten?
- Do you use screen time? On what occasions and for how long?
Health and Safety:
- Who has access to the building during school hours?
- What other security procedures do you have?
- Is the outdoor play area fenced-in? Are the play structures age-appropriate?
- How many adults supervise outside playtime?
- Are meals provided or sent from home? Are there allergy restrictions?
- Can my child bring special treats for the class on their birthday?
- Do all students need to be potty trained? If not, how is potty training dealt with?
- What is the procedure in the event of a potty accident?
- If attending full-day, is there a nap time? What time is nap?
- Are there policies and procedures are in place to control COVID?
- Is there a vaccine requirement?
- Who will administer medication if needed?
Parents and Funding:
- What parental involvement is expected?
- Are parents welcome to visit the classroom during the school day?
- What supplies will my child need to attend?
- Are families expected to participate in fundraising activities?
- Are there scholarships or discounts?
Scheduling a tour:
Sure, the program’s website will have plenty of pertinent information, but it is best to schedule a tour as well. Touring the school is so important to get a feel of the facility and classrooms! If it’s possible, arrange your visit during school hours so you can observe the teachers interact with the students. Take a look around the classroom and see if you can picture your child there! This is a great time to use my printable and get your questions answered!
Post-visit reflection:
After your visit, take some time to review what you learned and saw on your visit. Discuss with your partner how you felt there and whether or not your feelings about the school have changed. Make some notes from your conversation so you will remember!
Other things to discuss: is the location easy to get to for drop-off and pickup? What differentiates this school from the others on the list? Would our child flourish there?
If you found this list helpful, be sure to Pin it to Pinterest! What is most important to you in choosing a preschool? Tell me in the comments below!
And don’t forget to claim your free printable!
[…] in February, so I have “schedule preschool tours” on my list for late Fall. Check out my post on that […]