As more vaccines are being distributed, COVID-19 restrictions are being lifted, and life is slowly returning to normal. As a result, many parents will start returning to the office, and that means finding a preschool for their children to attend in-person.
When choosing a preschool for children, ages 0-5 years, there are five critical factors that should be considered. If you ensure that these five factors are in place, then you can rest assured that your child is safe AND receiving a quality education.
1. The preschool should be licensed by the state.
Most states require a license when caring for more than six children that are not related. So, it should not be hard to locate a licensed center or home-based preschool program. You can click on the following link to locate licensed centers or homes in your state. https://childcare.gov/state-resources-home
When a preschool program is licensed, it is required to meet the health and safety guidelines enforced by the state. The preschool undergoes routine inspections to ensure that these standards are continuously met. The law requires that all inspection reports be made accessible to the public. So, you should be able to view potential preschool’s inspection reports when you click on the link above. Each report includes documented injuries, as well as violations for health, safety, teacher-child ratios, documentation, and much more.
2. Each teacher should have a credential.
Any professional is more successful when he or she has studied on the topic of their career choice. This applies to preschool teachers as well. In my experience as an Early Childhood Center Manager and Child Development Researcher, I have found that outstanding teachers are more likely to have earned a teaching credential. Teaching credentials can range from a Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate to a Master’s degree. A large majority of American preschool teachers have a CDA certificate or Associate’s degree in Education.
When reviewing preschools, you can ask the Center Manager or Director what is the minimum credential or minimum years of education for their teaching staff.
3. The teacher-child ratio should be small.
Researchers have found that classrooms with small ratios are less likely to report injuries, and the children are more likely to grasp concepts and exhibit positive behaviors. Smaller ratios mean a greater likelihood that your child will get direct attention from a teacher.
Each state requires a certain teacher-child ratio for their early childhood classrooms. However, most state-recommended ratios are very large and not realistic for quality care.
Based on my expertise, I recommend the following ratios for each age group.
INFANT CLASSROOM (0-12 months). No more than 8 infants total, with 4 infants to 1 teacher (1:4 ratio).
TODDLER CLASSROOM (12-36 months). No more than 12 children total, with 6 children to 1 teacher (1:6 ratio).
PRE-K CLASSROOM (3-5years). No more than 20 children total, with 10 children to 1 teacher (1:10 ratio).
Classroom ratios should be explained to you when you inquire about, or tour, the potential preschool.
4. The school should utilize a curriculum.
A quality preschool program will utilize curriculum in each classroom. The curriculum serves as a guide for teachers, and it ensures that students learn in an intentional environment. Curriculum can guide how and what children learn, and the pace at which they learn it. Curriculum can be used for every age group (0-5 years).
Some curriculum are better than others, but the implementation of the curriculum is what really determines the quality of a classroom. This is why it is so important that teachers have a teaching credential. A teacher’s knowledge and experience dictate how effective a curriculum will be.
Most preschool programs will list their curriculum on their program’s website. If the program does not have a website, you can ask the Center Manager or Director.
5. You should feel welcome at the school.
As a parent, you should feel valued and supported by the preschool’s teachers and administrators. Your concerns and ideas should be listened to and considered by the staff. There should be opportunities for you to participate in your child’s classroom and/or the general program building (post-COVID). As a parent, you should receive daily communication regarding your child’s activities. In general, you should feel comfortable leaving your child with the program’s staff.
Some preschools invite parents to join their school board. They also host parent interest meetings, as well as program events, that parents and family members can attend. I highly recommend participating in every aspect of your child’s school. It allows you to stay up-to-date on changes in the school, and it also increases your child’s likelihood for success. Many researchers have found that parent involvement is linked to children’s higher self-esteem, academic success, and positive behavior.
Ask the Center Manager or Director how you can get involved at the school.
Other Factors
It can be overwhelming when searching for preschool programs. We want to ensure that our children are cared for and learning when not in our care. After you ensure that these top five factors are in place, you will notice that have you checked off most of the “wants” on your preschool checklist.
While these are the top five factors to consider when choosing a preschool, there are other things that can determine your choice. In the end, decide on what works best for you and your child.
Happy Hunting! 🙂