How to Choose a Preschool

Whether you plan to go back to work when your child is just an infant, or you're looking for a morning program for your toddler, the choice to trust your child's care and education to someone else is a big one. Here are some of the factors to consider as you evaluate Triangle area programs.

The School's Philosophy

In the Triangle, you'll find Montessori programs that focus on stimulating a child's natural interest in learning through concrete, self-directed tasks. At other programs, you'll find teacher led activities and structure as the foundation of the learning environment. In the end, it will likely ve a visit to the center that allows you to evaluate the philosophy in action. Here are some questions to take with you:

• Are more of the activities teacher directed or child directed?
• Is the enter focused on primarily the intellectual development of the child or are they more focused on social, emotional or moral development?
• Does the atmosphere seem warm and loving?
• How does the school handle discipline? Does it fit with your family philosophy on discipline?
• Does the school expect parents to be very involved in the school? Does that suit your interest and needs?

The Staff

Without a doubt, one of the most critical components of your child's experience is his interaction with the teachers and administration. Here are a few questions to ask the school's staff:

• What is the ratio of teachers to students in each room, and why?
• What is the average educational background of the staff?
• What does staff turnover look like at your school?

A Visit to the Center

Call each program that interests you and plan a visit. Schedule adequate time to take a look at all of the classrooms and talk to the teachers and director. One mistake parents make when evaluating a school is focusing too closely on the class their child would enter now. Remember that your child will eventually be in the older classes and your feelings about those are just as important. If it's possible, you may want to come at the beginning or end of a day, so you have a chance to talk with other parents - these parking lot conversations can be very helpful.

Accreditation and Star System Rating

State agencies and non-profits have tried to help parents evaluate the quality of preschools and childcare centers by establishing standards and rating systems. They are somewhat helpful, but they certainly don't replace asking great questions. The tricky part of evaluating schools on the basis of accreditation or star system rating, is that many times you may be selecting from programs that are evaluated differently. For example, the state of North Carolina's star system ranking only applies to programs that are greater than half-day in length. Religiously affiliated schools operate only with a certificate of compliance.

The star system is voluntary, and programs can earn points in three categories: program standards, staff education, and compliance history. While a four or five star license is a good indication that a school is likely of very high quality, a lower star rating doesn't necessarily mean that the school is not of good quality. It may mean that their schedule, the materials, or philosophy don't meet traditional expectations about early childhood education. To learn more about the star system, visit www.ncchildcare.dhhs.state.nc.us. You may also find other programs that are NAEYC accredited. These schools have been evaluated by a well-respected nonprofit agency. To learn more about this accreditation system, visit www.NAEYC.com.