Shopping for Preschools

By Jacqueline Mroz

When Amy Paterson and her husband started looking for preschools for their son, Jonah, they found the process pretty overwhelming. "I grew up here, but I was at a loss for where to start," says Paterson, 35, who lives with her family in Portland, Ore. "Eventually I starting asking my friends and family, and we found a great school for our son. But it was confusing."

Paterson isn't the only one bewildered by all the choices. Shopping for preschools for your little one for the first time is exciting, but it can be difficult to know which is the best choice. The first thing you should consider, says Amita Gupta, an associate professor of early childhood education at The City College of New York, is what kind of environment you are comfortable with.

Do you want the school's philosophy to fit in with your parenting style? If you practice attachment parenting at home, do you want your child to be nurtured in the same way at school? Do your children call your adult friends by their first names? Then a very traditional, highly structured school may not work for your preschooler, or for your whole family, for that matter. And you may not work for the school, either.

"There needs to be some harmony between the parenting and education philosophies, or there will be conflict for the child; it has to be consistent. You don't want the teachers saying, 'Oh no, you can't do this' about something you let your child do at home," says Gupta. "Why not choose a mutually supportive school? That's easier for the child, as well."

Here's what else you should look for when investigating preschool options:

• Curriculum Look at the teaching practices in the classroom, including the types of materials used and the activities that the kids take part in. Is there a good balance between the amount of structure and the amount of freedom that the children have? Also observe how boundaries are negotiated for the children. Are there many rules? What is the discipline policy? Paterson ended up choosing a Montessori school for her son, because she liked that it gave the children structure in the classroom, but a great deal of freedom within that structure.
• Parent involvement Find out what kind of parent involvement is expected. Some schools offer it as an option, while in others it is mandatory, such as in cooperative schools. If you work full time, assisting in a school may not be an option. Also, determine whether or not parents are welcome to come into the classroom. It's also a good idea to find out if there are any hidden costs besides tuition. Are you expected to donate money to school?
• Teacher qualifications and background It's important to find out what kind of educational background the teachers at the school have. The lead teacher should have an early childhood degree, as well as sufficient experience in the classroom. What percentage of the teachers is certified? Also, is the teacher open to communicating with parents? How many conferences do they have? It's also worth looking at what kind of turnover there is among the teachers.
• Diversity Look for a school where there is a diverse range of backgrounds in the student population and amongst the teachers and administration. Does the school celebrate different holidays and talk about different cultures?
• Policies and procedures Find out the school's policies on closings, holidays and illnesses. Some schools are stricter than others on these matters. Also, does it offer lunch or a snack? And will they accommodate your child if he or she is allergic to some foods? Does the school have strict late fees?

It may feel like picking a school involves a lot of homework on your end, but it's important to remember that there's no such thing as the right school, says Gupta. The best school is the one that works for your family and your child.