Article – Choosing a Preschool

The early years are foundational and the environment surrounding our children is of vital importance. And yet, the area, cost, hours, and quality of care limit the options for preschool. Choosing a preschool or daycare program for your child can be daunting. This article can help parents make informed decisions about their child’s care.

When looking for a program, parents need to identify their core values to determine whether a program is a good fit for their family. Do you value real-life experiences? Or do you feel children should focus on imaginative play? Are you looking for an educational environment that prepares a child for academics? Or do you prefer a more play based environment that focuses on social interaction? Do you want electronic toys and screens available to your child?

Think about the physical site and daily routines: would you prefer that your child is primarily outside or inside? Do you want close monitoring, or space for your child to take risks and learn from their experiences? What daily rhythm is good for your child? Does your child have particular food and sleep requirements? What level of activity best fits your family? Are there things you want to ensure the program includes, such as music and art?

Once you have a sense of your values you can look at the mission or educational philosophy of programs in your area. Many early childhood programs are play-based. The caregivers often weave some educational elements into group games, songs, movement activities, and toys. Some educational philosophies are well developed, well known, and time tested, such as Montessori, Waldorf, and Reggio Emilia. But schools can say they follow these philosophies without accountability. Make sure, if you love a particular philosophy, that the school is accredited by or affiliated with a standards organization. You can also check whether the caregivers are trained in the philosophy.  

You might fall in love with a program and their amazing philosophy, but are they open for the hours that you need childcare? Many programs run for school hours with before and after care offered at an additional cost. This is an important factor in making a decision. As is the location! Are you able to get there in time in the morning to get to work? Is there ample parking? 

It is also important to look at the schedule for the year and see if the program closes for holidays, breaks, and the summer. You will need to assess whether this will work with your family’s schedule. Many preschools close in the summer, but there are often limited summer camp options for young children. For children under 5, changing programs each week may work for some children, but not for others who need more consistency. Parents and caregivers need to consider the added costs of childcare during times the program is closed.

If you are interested in a program, make an initial call or write a first email and see how long it takes to get a response and how informative and helpful the response is. This will inform you about the staffing at the program and give you a taste of parent communication. Is the response friendly? Are there clear steps outlined to help you learn more about the program?

Next, I encourage parents to call and schedule a visit. There is nothing more reliable than your own experience on site. Quality programs should be open to a walk through or even an observation period when you can sit in a classroom and watch the children in action. 

Look at the toys and materials on the shelves when you visit – are they attractive? Are they in good repair? And are they engaging? Is there enough variety? Think about your child and the level of challenge they require for staying engaged. Will the materials available offer interest and challenge vital to the building of self confidence?

When you visit a preschool or daycare program pay attention to how much the adults are engaged in directing the children. Some programs offer a high level of self-directed activity. Other programs rely heavily on the adult to guide the children through tasks and determine what the children will do. Parents need to ask themselves what fits their values for their young child. Is their child happy to follow the direction of an adult, or does their child prefer to make some of their own decisions?

To find out the quality of the staff, ask about the education level of the lead adults in the children’s environments. Quality preschool programs will work to have individuals with certifications, diplomas, or degrees related to early childhood education. For support staff, inquire about training and professional development they are expected to participate in. Note that turnover is common in early childhood programs, but the longer a program can keep staff, the more likely they are to have good job satisfaction. 

In addition to education requirements, consider the demeanor and personality of those your child would spend their day with. Think about the type of care you want for your child. Some families prefer care that is strict while others prefer gentle, flexible personalities. It is important to think about your own parenting style and what type of personality will be a good compliment. Children are resilient and can adapt to a variety of personalities, but the parents have to be comfortable as well.

Early childhood education programs, or preschools, in the state of NY need to be licensed by the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) or registered by the New York State Education Department (NYSED). License and registration requirements depend on the program hours and number and ages of children in the program. I encourage parents to check on whether the program is properly licensed or registered and how long it has been running. New programs can be wonderful, and some unlicensed, small home-based programs are lovely. However, having experience over time can make a program more consistent and reliable. Licenses and registrations require a certain level of safety and quality. 

For OCFS programs, OCFS maintains public records of citations. Most licensed programs have citations given the strict requirements in the state of New York. However, look to see whether the program works to respond and rectify any issues that arise and how often they have been cited over time.

Because the population in preschool and daycare programs quickly age out and move on, the general level of satisfaction with a program is hard to determine. People tend to be most outspoken when they are dissatisfied. Before jumping to conclusions, listen carefully for the values that inform their opinion. Similarly, with those who are happy with a program, make sure their values align with yours and think carefully about your own child’s personality. A program that is great for one family can be a poor fit for another. Checking online reviews and testimonials can be a good start for hearing about a program. But nothing is better than your own intuition when you visit!

While choosing who will care for your child can be difficult, start with your values. For a specific educational philosophy, make sure they are affiliated with an organization. If you find a place that is inline with your vision for your child. make sure you feel the program is inline with your logistical needs. If it meets those two expectations, check out what it feels like to be there. It is important to know that the adults are trained in some way, but also that their attitude toward your child makes you feel comfortable. With a close focus on your child and the type of place they need, along with your values, you can find a good preschool or daycare program for your family!