Selecting a Preschool?

10 items for moms' child care checklist

By Linda Morgan

Maybe some day preschool programs will come with a five-star rating system, like restaurants or hotels. Until then, the National Association for Early Childhood Education (NAEYC) offers these tips to help parents compare programs and choose a quality school:

1. Check out the facilities.
   They should be age-appropriate and well-maintained, both indoors and outdoors.
   
2. Observe how kids socialize.
   Watch to see that children interact with other children and adults, and notice how those interactions unfold.
   
3. Ask about the curriculum.
   Quality preschools offer a variety of activities appropriate for the children’s ages and needs.
   
4. Ask about teachers’ degrees and training.
   The staff should have the educational background to promote your child’s learning and development, as well as experience.
   
5. Ask how long teachers have been with the program.
   Teachers who stay in the program longer are more able to focus their attention on the children and establish bonds with them. High turnover signals less stability.
   
6. What is the child-to-teacher ratio?
   This helps determine how much individual attention your child will get. The NAEYC website has teacher-child ratio charts and guidelines. (For example, NAEYC standards require one teacher per six students in a class of 12 tots ages 2½ to 3. For 4-year-old preschoolers, NAEYC recommends one teacher for every eight students in a class of 16.)
   
7. How are families kept in the loop?
   Ask how information and concerns are communicated between staff and families.
   
8. Make sure the program is licensed by the state.
   You can search for licensed child care providers through California’s Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD).
   
9. Ask about the school’s health and safety policies.
   Check whether the program has policies and practices to help keep children safe from preventable illness and injury.
   
10. Is the school NAEYC-accredited?
    The NAEYC sets standards that preschools must meet to earn accreditation. Check out a description of these guidelines—and a listing of accredited preschool programs—at the NAEYC website.

Source: NAEYC, Early Childhood Program Standards