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by Jere Ann Simpson - 1997/98 Gig Harbor High School Senior Project

AS WELL AS LEARNING STYLES, THESE THINGS NEED TO BE CONSIDERED WHEN CHOOSING A PRESCHOOL

Activity Level - Would your child do better in a large group or a small group? Do they need constant activity or quiet time?

Adaptability - Will your child adjust to school immediately, or need help from teachers to get involved?

Sensory Threshold - Will your child thrive in a busy atmosphere, or will they get overwhelmed by noise and commotion?

Attention Span - Will your child become distracted and need to be patiently reminded to clean up their mess? Will they become attached to one project and need help moving to the next activity.

Predictability - Does your child need a routine? Will they have trouble adjusting to a specific nap time?

PRESCHOOLS HAVE SIMPLE GOALS	To teach children to spend time away from parents.	To teach children to relate to other children besides friends and siblings.	To let children make new friends.
To instill confidence in discovering new things.	To teach self-control and cooperation.	To instill interest in learning.	To help develop motor skills.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
Start looking the January before the next school year, good programs fill quickly. Assess your child's weaknesses and find a school that helps them build new strengths Find a school with a good student teacher ratio - the ideal is one supervisor for every 6-8 students involved in some physical activity All schools should involve some physical activity The school should be safe and clean Playground should be padded with grass, wood chips or sand and should be fenced off and away from traffic Toys should be clean and unbroken Room should be organized so children can find things and know where to put them away Materials should encourage imagination. For example, lengths of cloth are better than perfect outfits, because they allow children to create.
WHEN YOU VISIT THE PRESCHOOL		QUESTIONS TO ASK THE TEACHER
Take your child with you. Be aware of how your child responds to different schools Pay close attention to art activities. Children should be exploring paints, clay, cutting, and pasting. They should be creating their vision, NOT a perfect product for parents. Think to yourself, "Would I have been happy here when I was my child's age? Notice whether or not the teacher seems happy to be there Stay until pick-up time and talk to other parents Notice if the school is designed for children. Artwork should be low to the ground for children to see, not parents Teachers should bend down and talk to yoru child instead of talking only to you		What are their creditials? They should have a degree in early childhood education and have at least two years experience Is the school licensed or accredited What training do teachers have? Do teachers attend professional classes and conferences? How are separation problems handled? How do you distract a crying child? Is there a rest time? If there is, when and where does it take place and how is it supervised? Is there a sick child policy? Is at least one staff person trained in first aid? How are religious holidays treated? What is the school's discipline policy? How is each child's progress evaluated? Can parents call the teacher at home? Does the school take field trips