8 Questions You SHOULD Ask During a Preschool Tour
Sending your child to preschool for the first time can feel a bit overwhelming. You probably have tons of questions you want to ask, and trust me, any high quality preschool doesn’t mind! In fact here are 8 questions preschool directors wish you would ask.
What is your educational philosophy?
Is the preschool you are considering at Montessori, developmental, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, academic, faith-based, or something else? Parents should look for a school that has a philosophy that is complimentary to their own.
What is the turn over like? What kind of training does the staff receive?
Teachers and preschool directors who have been with the school for a while are likely happy and enjoy their work. This filters down to the children.
Is the teaching staff CPR and First Aid certified? Do they receive continued education classes?
What is your discipline philosophy?
Every preschool will handle discipline a little differently, but no matter where you go, discipline should be positive.
How does the school encourage positive behavior? Are the classroom rules clear and easy for a preschooler to understand? How will you be notified of your child’s behavior? Are you going to be informed about positive behavior as well?
How does the school communicate with parents?
Will you receive a newsletter? If so, how often? Is written communication the only communication? With all the technology in our lives, there’s likely an app for that! Apps like REMIND and Bloomz are becoming more common.
What kinds of extracurricular activities are included?
Does the school educate the “whole” child, or does it only focus on one aspect of educating children? Some extras to look for: gymnastics, dance, field trips, music, foreign language, and special guests (dentist, firemen, police etc.).
Is the school willing to provide references?
Are there reviews from parents on the schools social media sites? Are you able to talk to other parents? This could help you gain insight into the preschool and maybe help ease any fears.
Ask about screen time.
Children are getting more screen time than in past generations. How much screen time will your child get at school? The amount should be minimal, if any at all. Experts recommend no more than one hour of screen time per day for children ages 2-5.
Ask about security.
With everything going on these days security is more important than ever. How will the preschool keep your child safe? Are the doors locked? Is there a fence around the playground? Does the school have security cameras?
Don’t be afraid to ask a million and one questions! You are entrusting your child to someone new. Any high quality preschool will want to make sure that your child AND you are comfortable and trust them.
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