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Choosing A Preschool for Your Child - 12 Tips for Parents Choosing your child's first school experience can be exciting, but also a little overwhelming. The good news is that the North Shore boasts nationally-acclaimed public schools and excellent private and parochial schools, as well. There many available options to choose from-- schools that can meet your child's and your family's needs, based on the criteria listed below. For further information, please contact the Winnetka Alliance for Early Childhood at 847-441-9001 or visit www.winnetkaalliance.org . 1. Part-day/Full-day Part-day preschool can run 2¼ to 2½ hours, mornings or afternoons, and there are often 2, 3, 4 or 5-day options. Full-day (often called day care or child care) can run from early morning into the evening hours, which is helpful for parents who work. Both options cater to all areas of child's development-physical, social, emotional and cognitive. 2. Location Attending a preschool near your home can have advantages, such as your child's easy participation in carpools and playdates, as well as meeting children who will attend elementary school with him/her. Others prefer to have their children attend school closer to the parents' workplace. Consider what is the most advantageous for your family, such as the number of hours you and your child must spend in the car, an ability to visit the child during the parents' workday, etc. 3. Licensing/Accreditation A school or center is licensed through the State of Illinois' Department of Children and Family Services, with requirements regarding square footage, adult-child ratios, fire and safety codes, food preparation rules, and minimum requirements for teachers. All early childhood programs must be licensed, with the exception of church-based programs (although many of these on the North Shore are licensed). Accreditation is through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the nation's oldest and largest early childhood professional organization. The process of achieving accreditation has recently been completely restructured and schools that have achieved accreditation several times under the old system will find themselves having to learn the ins and outs of the new system over the next few years. Accreditation is good for 5 years, with annual updating reports required and unannounced visits a possibility. There are also some specialized accrediting bodies, such as the American Montessori Society. 4. Cost Private preschool and day care programs are, in large part, supported by tuitions, as are public junior kindergarten programs. The more hours your child attends, the higher the tuition. Tuitions provide the biggest source of income for not-for-profit preschools and many preschools supplement tuitions with various fund raising efforts. 5. Philosophy of Education The school's philosophy can impact everything from classroom set up and curriculum to the pace and structure of the day. Most schools have a written philosophy of education and goals, which you should look at. Be sure the goals address all areas of a child's development (social, emotional, intellectual and physical). Common philosophies include: developmental (children learn best through play in a thoughtfully constructed environment, guided by teachers); Montessori (a highly individualized curriculum, using special Montessori materials, in a carefully planned classroom); academic (more like elementary school with emphasis on memorization, work sheets, and direct instruction). Some other philosophies that you may encounter include Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, and traditional theme-based curriculum. Some schools have a religious affiliation or offer a specialized approach, such as language schools. 6. Teachers Teachers are the heart and soul of every school. It's important to observe classrooms to see teachers at work. Some things to watch for: Do teachers treat each child with warmth and respect? Do they listen? Do they get down to eye level with the children? Do they enjoy what they are doing? Do they work with children individually and in small groups? Are children supervised at all times? Do teachers encourage children to expand their thinking through questions? Are teachers continually assessing children to adjust their teaching techniques? Also, observe teacher-child ratios (NAEYC standards suggest 1:4 for infants; 1:5 for toddlers; 1:6 for older toddlers; and 1:10 for 3 and 4 year olds). Are there other adults in the classroom (aides, roving teachers, student teachers, parent volunteers, specialists such as music or art teachers)? The North Shore is lucky to have very qualified teachers. Approx. 90% have at least a BA, with at least 6 hours of specialized early childhood courses, as required by the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Many hold a Master's degree. Most directors have a Master's in early childhood or a related field. Talk to the director about teacher turnover. National turnover for early childhood teachers is 30-40% annually. 7. Facilities The physical space of the schools is an important component. Things to look for: spacious, airy, and well-lighted rooms; comfortable temperature; nearby bathroom facilities that are child-sized; places for child's coat, boots, and other belongings; interest areas in the classrooms, with books, art supplies, dramatic play, science, sensory experiences, etc.; places for large and small group play; quiet places for one or two children. Also, do the teachers have access to more equipment to change the environment? Outdoor play is an important component of early childhood education. Playgrounds should be safe and accessible. Most schools encourage outdoor play every day, assuming that the temperature is above 15 degrees. Additional facilities might include access to a gym or indoor gross motor play space, music, art or language rooms, and possible off-site areas (field trips). 8. Observation Ask to spend time in the classroom. Plan to spend at least ½ hour. Notice room set-up and equipment. Is the classroom well-lit, clean, airy, and loaded with inviting materials? Do the children seem happy, engaged, and eager? Is the teacher available to the children? Do the children "own" the classroom? Do they have opportunities to choose activities? Is there enough physical space? Is there well-planned group time (i.e. Rug Time or Circle Time)? Are rules fair, clearly explained, and consistently enforced? How are children disciplined? (The goal should be to teach children self-control, not to bow to authority). Would you like to spend time here? 9. Family Involvement There should be a close working relationship between teachers and parents during the preschool years. Formal sharing of information should happen several times a year and might include: conferences, intake information, newsletters, posted menus, and a weekly schedule of classroom activities. Informal information is also important and might include touching base at drop off and pick up, phone calls, and notes. Some schools offer opportunities for parents to volunteer in the classroom or provide several family events throughout the year. Some schools expect that parents will be involved in various fund raising efforts during the year, such as benefits, auctions and/or gift wrap sales. 10. Governance of the School Is the school for profit or not-for-profit? Part of a national chain or an independent entity? Is it affiliated with the church where it is housed or does it only rent space from the church? The director sets the tone for the school. How involved is she/he? What is her/his educational background and prior experience? Are you comfortable talking to him/her? What is the role of parents (can they get involved as classroom volunteers, serve on a board of directors, be room parents, etc.)? What are the policies regarding sick children, drop off and pick up, handling emergencies, and security? 11. Word of Mouth Talk to other parents about their child's experiences at the school. If you don't know parents whose children attend the school, ask the director or registrar for a list of parents you could call. 12. Trust Your Own Instincts Consider all of the above, but you also need to follow your own instincts. Each school has its own "feel." Do you, yourself, feel comfortable here? You know your child best of all and you also know, at some level, whether he or she would fit into this school. by Blakely Bundy, M.Ed., Executive Director of the Winnetka Alliance for Early Childhood, April, 2006.
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