Preschool

At a quality preschool, kids learn a variety of new social and academic skills. Your child will learn how to:

A quality preschool can also alert teachers and parents to any early learning disabilities or other special needs a child may have and arrange for that child to receive help early on. Learn more about identifying and caring for a child with special needs.

Many factors need to be considered when you're looking for a quality preschool and it takes time to find the right one.

Teachers Make a Difference

• Ask the preschool director about teacher qualifications, such as the number of teachers who have completed college courses or degrees in early childhood education.
• Find out if teachers have been trained in CPR, first aid, and infection control.
• Ask how long teachers have worked at the school.
• Watch how teachers interact with the kids. They should be warm, affectionate, and show enthusiasm about the children's projects.
• Make sure the teachers are having conversations with the kids in their class.
• Watch to see if the teachers are kneeling down so they can play and talk to kids at eye level instead of looking down at them.

Curriculum Matters

• Has a variety of learning opportunities where kids are taught in a class setting, in a small group, or one-on-one with the teacher.
• Offers a range of activities from solving puzzles to playing outside.
• Lets teachers “connect the dots” by linking your child's experiences to learning objectives. For example, if a child drops a ball, the teacher could talk about gravity.
• Find out whether the teacher can tell you not only what the class is doing, but also why they're doing it.

Take a Look Around

• Does the school meet state regulations for teacher-to-child ratio? In general, there should be one teacher for every 10 kids.
• Are there separate learning centers for writing, art, and reading? Is there a good playground? Do children have access to computers?
• Does the classroom have plenty of books and educational toys, such as blocks and puzzles?
• Do they provide breakfast or lunch? If so, check the menu. Make sure the meals and snacks are nutritious and include lots of fruits and vegetables, and that beverages are healthy − mainly water and reduced-fat milk.
• Do the children in the classroom seem busy and engaged in an activity?
• Can parents stop by at any time during the day?

As you're searching for the right preschool, don't be shy − ask the preschool director and staff lots of questions!

Your child may be old enough to go to preschool, but that doesn't mean your little one is ready for it. Preschool is different from day care — it places greater focus on academics and tends to be more structured. Carefully consider whether your child is ready for this new challenge by talking to other people who know your child well, like your partner, child's doctor, and caregiver. Ask yourself these questions:

• Has my child learned to be independent?
  Most preschools require that kids do basic skills on their own, like washing their hands, going to the bathroom, sleeping alone, and eating lunch without help.
• Has my child ever spent some time away from me?
  Kids who have spent some time with a caregiver are better prepared for preschool because they know it's okay to be away from their parents for a bit. If you haven't had any time away from your child, schedule some opportunities. Let your child stay with a grandparent for an afternoon every week or get a babysitter to care for your child occasionally.
• Can my child work on projects by himself?
  Projects like drawing, painting, and completing puzzles require that kids stay concentrated on what they're doing and finish a task by themselves. If your child always asks for your help, slowly teach him to do things by himself. When you're making a meal, encourage your child to sit at the table and draw a picture or build a structure out of blocks. Give a high five and praise him when it's done.
• Is my child ready for group activities?
  Kids under 3 are accustomed to playing separately from other kids, but in preschool, many of the activities require that all the kids do the same thing at once. Get your child used to group activities by going to story time at your local library. City and town recreation departments often offer low-cost classes for little ones, too.
• Can my child stay awake and be happy during preschool?
  Kids need a lot of energy to keep up with all the activities offered at preschool. Think about whether your child likes moving quickly from one activity to the next without getting upset. Also, consider your child's nap schedule. Most preschools have naptime right after lunch for an hour or two. If your child still takes a nap in the morning or sleeps for a long time in the afternoon, it may not be time yet to go to school for a full day.

Kids learn best when parents are actively involved in their education. Even if you're busy and short on time, there are some simple ways to support your child's teacher and preschool education.

• Introduce (or reintroduce) yourself to the teacher on the first day of class.
• Check in with the teacher through conversations at school, email, written notes, or phone calls to stay up to date on how your child is doing.
• Ask the teacher to let you know right away if your child's behavior changes or if there are any concerns about your child's friends.
• Stay informed about the latest developments at your child's school by reading newsletters, going to open houses, and attending parent-teacher conferences.
• Volunteer in your child's classroom and see what your child is learning firsthand!

Saying goodbye isn't easy, especially the first day you leave your child with a caregiver. They key is to make these happy goodbyes, not sad ones.

• Plan to stay for a bit, especially the first day. Walk around the room with your child, meet other kids, and play with some of the toys to help your child become comfortable with this new situation.
• Be cheerful and upbeat. Your child will know by the sound of your voice if you're worried or upset. Smile, laugh, and tell your child that you'll be back soon.
• Create a goodbye routine. Give your child a kiss to "hold" in his hand while you're away, sing a special song together, or give an extra big bear hug.
• Leave a favorite object behind. Bring along your child's favorite stuffed animal, toy, or blanket to help ease the transition from home to school and keep your child from feeling lonely throughout the day.
• Hold back from the “rescue.” Once you leave the room, try not to look back, even if you hear your child crying. Experienced caregivers know how to properly care for your child and if you run back, your child will think that he needs to be with you all the time. This will likely make it harder for your child to transition to school. If you need some reassurance that your child is well, wait for a few minutes outside the room or call later in the morning to check in.