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Picking a preschool Print This Page! E-mail
Written by Andrea Leigh Ptak   
Jan 01, 2007
All preschools are not created equal; in fact, there are so many options that finding the right one can seem like a bigger chore than choosing a college! But help is on the way for parents confronting the dizzying array of choices. Here are some simple steps to help you hone in on that perfect preschool.

Nuts and bolts

Start with the obvious: logistics. If you work full-time, you might require a program that does double-duty as before- and after-school childcare. Those with more flexible schedules can opt for one that is only a few hours a day, or a co-operative where parents participate. Many preschools run on a school-based calendar from September to June. Others are open year-round. Take a long look at your scheduling needs, and rule out anything that isn’t a fit.

Next, think money. The cost for preschool can range from free for families below the poverty level at a government-funded program like Head Start, to thousands of dollars a year at one of the private schools. The price you pay will also depend on the number of hours your child is in school. For example, two mornings a week at Mountlake Terrace Recreation, a city-sponsored program, runs about $100 per month. Co-operative preschools can run from $90 per month (plus fees) for three mornings a week. The public Montessori preschool at Graham Hill Elementary costs $300 per month for five mornings a week ($2,700). A similar schedule at the French American School of Puget Sound costs $6,300. Before you rule out a program you like but can’t afford, ask about financial aid. Many programs -- public and private -- have need-based aid that can make a big difference.

Now, consider location. Should the school be close to your office, or closer to home? If you stay in your neighborhood, you can develop relationships with other families who live nearby -- something that’s harder to do at a school across town.

Narrow the search

After using these basics to narrow the field, it’s time to start looking at individual schools. Philosophy and teaching styles can vary drastically. Some schools stress academics; others, arts or socialization. Watch for daycare centers masquerading as preschools; age-range can be a tip-off. Montessori programs will mix 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds, but most other types of preschools group children by age. If there are infants in the same class as 4-year-olds, it’s probably more of a daycare center.

There should be a definite curriculum geared toward early childhood development, and a qualified staff that can implement it. A good preschool will offer a variety of activities. Art and craft projects develop fine-motor skills; music and story times encourage language development; free-play promotes socialization; dance and games foster large-motor skills. All of these activities and more will be found in a good preschool. Some will even offer field trips.

At least one of the teachers should have a degree in early childhood education and be certified in any specialty program offered, like Montessori or Waldorf. Low staff turnover also indicates a quality program, and kids benefit from having a stable teaching staff.

Robert Needlman, MD, FAAP, recommends checking for accreditation with the non-profit National Association for Early Childhood Education (NAEYC), a leader in high-quality early childhood education. The NAEYC’s website maintains a regularly updated listing of accredited preschool programs (www.naeyc.org). However, many high-quality programs are not NAEYC accredited. You can also use the NAEYC’s guidelines to help figure out if a program is up to their standards.

If possible, attend a community preschool preview event that brings many local schools and parents together. (Click Here for info on the ParentMap-hosted preschool preview events in January.)

A menu of choices

Here’s a look at some of the most prevalent types of preschools.

Community-run preschools

Community centers and organizations like the YMCA can provide quality programs at reasonable rates because they are usually not-for-profit. Patti Curde, Senior Director of Programs at the YMCA, says, "We strive to meet the developmental needs and temperament of each individual child by working in partnership with families." Darlene Cook, Director of Youth Programs at Mountlake Terrace Recreation, agrees, "We’re not in it for the dollars -- we’re in it for the kids."

Co-operatives

If you’ve got a little time, you might consider a co-op. These tend to be run by parents, who volunteer for all aspects of the organization-including fundraising, hiring teachers, maintenance and classroom assistance. Every parent in the program is required to have a "job" within the co-op-anything from board member to newsletter editor. Most co-ops have monthly parent meetings (attendance required). In return, parents generally pay less for preschool, and often get free parenting classes in the bargain.

Find out if your local community college sponsors a co-operative preschool. These programs put emphasis on parent-education, and usually have a monthly class just for caregivers. "You think you’re enrolling your child in this wonderful program -- which you are -- and you’re also enrolling yourself in parent-education at the college, where you are earning adult education credits," says North Seattle Community College’s Program Coordinator, Val Donato.

Fiona Jackson served on the board of the Capitol Hill Co-op (part of the Seattle Central Community College program) for three years while her son Ian attended. "He knew his colors, numbers, and ABCs when he got out," she says, "but the most important element was socialization... not just with his peers but with their parents."

Because co-ops are parent-run, they can have distinct personalities. Barbara Kelly was unhappy with the first one she tried with her son Gareth, so she moved on. It took her three tries to find the right preschool, but she says didn’t want to settle for something that wasn’t working.

Specialty schools
If you’re shopping for a preschool with a special philosophy or emphasis, consider yourself lucky! Choices abound in this arena. The Montessori Method is a teaching style based on the child’s innate ability to learn at his own pace, in an enriched and supportive environment. The Waldorf curriculum draws upon myth, legends and the arts to nurture a child’s creative and emotional side.

Language immersion and bi-lingual programs are also popular options. Around here, you can find French, German, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese preschools, among others. These programs build on research that shows that children are most adaptable to learning a second language at a very young age. Rob Harrahill, Director of Admissions at the French American School of Puget Sound, a pre-K-to-5th-grade program on Mercer Island, notes that only 40 percent of their students have a parent who is French. "Families that have sought out an immersion program have done research, and value the benefits from our type of school, and having a second language as the child grows older," he says.

Religion-based schools

Churches, synagogues and temples often offer preschool, and the amount of religious instruction can vary drastically. Many schools welcome students of all faiths. Do your homework: Make sure a program conforms to your family’s values.

Bayla Friedman Treiger, Early Childhood Coordinator at the Seattle Hebrew Academy, notes that the curriculum is definitely Jewish-based, but is not dogmatic about practice. "Many of our families are not Orthodox and we are very open to all of the various backgrounds… to the fact that people celebrate differently," Treiger says.

Lauren Leiker, Director of St. Mark’s Cathedral Preschool, echoes that sentiment. "We do consider ourselves an Episcopalian preschool, but our practice is interfaith," she says. "We try to nurture the families in our communities-whether they are Catholic, Jewish, Muslim -- whatever faith they bring, we want to celebrate with them."

Steel Lake Christian Preschool stresses its religious curriculum. Director Karen Dick notes that many of their families want "a small school that is safe and has strong moral instruction. Though we don’t teach theology per se, we do use age-appropriate Bible stories and focus on the big Christian holidays," she says.

Special needs bring special challenges

If you have a child with special needs, you have special things to consider when choosing a preschool. Do you want your child to be in a special-needs program, or would you prefer he go to school with typically developing kids? If so, look for a program that accommodates your child’s challenges, but also builds on his strengths. Visit several schools and find out what they have to offer in terms of facility, resources and staff. Jennifer Taylor, founder and Director of The Storybook Center in Redmond, says parents at her school want a mixture of special-needs and mainstream curriculum. "Their children might be on the cusp of not-quite qualifying for special needs, or want to be with typically developing students," she says. "We’re for kids that need a little extra help." Children with severe disabilities often qualify for government programs and parents should work with their healthcare providers to find the right preschool. (Additional resources listed below.)

Pre-K and beyond

If your child doesn’t like big changes, consider sending him to a preschool attached to an elementary school. These are usually offered by private K-5 schools, and enrollment in the preschool often guarantees admission into the elementary grades. The Seattle School District even offers a few public preschools with this option. Susan Shames chose the public Montessori program at Graham Hill Elementary. "I had a daughter that was apprehensive about transition," she says, "Preschool is only a couple of hours a day, but it got her acclimated to the school building. I think this helped contribute to her success."

Personal observation

All the careful planning in the world can’t replace the most important step of all -- your in-person visit to the preschool. Don’t just go to the open house; if possible, visit while a class is in session. Most schools welcome the opportunity to show off their program; be wary of those that won’t.

The NAEYC suggests that parents make sure the physical space is well maintained, and that toys and equipment seem safe, clean, and age-appropriate. There should be a variety of activities available, both indoor and out. Television should have a small role, if any. There should be at least one adult for every ten 4-year-olds. Watch the kids interact with each other and their teachers -- do they seem positive and respectful? Look for smiles on the faces of both children and adults. Now, Dr. Needlman suggests, consider your own child’s personality: Will the environment, activities, and the attitude of the teachers suit your child? Is the program structured enough, or too structured? Does the classroom seem warm and joyful?

Ask for a written description of the school’s policies on discipline, pricing, and curriculum. Check out the staff’s credentials. Find out whether the school has any licenses or accreditations. Ask to talk to parents already participating in the program -- it’s a good way to find out how involved parents are expected to be in the school community.

One day, parents who are in your shoes may have a powerful tool to help with their preschool search. Washington Learns, a blue-ribbon panel of educators, wants to create a "five-star rating system" to give parents better information about the quality of early education programs. If it happens, though, it won’t be in effect for a number of years. Right now, the only official measure of a program is a state health and safety license.

So take the time to do some research. A personal visit, in-depth questions, and a reference check will give you a lot of information to work with. Don’t ignore your instincts! Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions. And if, in the end, you’re not happy with your choice, follow Barbara Kelly’s advice: "If something doesn’t seem to be fitting right for you or your kid, move on!"

Andrea Leigh Ptak is a freelance writer and graphic designer who lives with her husband and daughter in South Seattle. Their next big education choice will be high school.

Web Resources

 

Resources for parents of children with special needs

Alan Simpson of the NAEYC recommends the following resources:

Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center's Center for Children with Special Needs (www.cshcn.org/) recommends the following links: