Choosing a Preschool

The classroom at the Richmond Branch Library was filled with parents, all eager to learn. I made myself comfortable and introduced myself to mothers and fathers waiting for Children’s Council’s Choosing a Preschool workshop to begin.

“Have you started your search for a preschool?” I asked the woman next to me.

“No. I actually just found out I’m pregnant, so I’m here to learn what I should expect,” answered the soon-to-be mother.

It quickly became clear that the workshop participants came from an array of backgrounds, with children of varying ages. Their differences were many, but these parents did have some things in common: a desire to provide the best for their child, an understanding of the long-term advantages of high-quality early education, and a recognition of the daunting process that is finding and applying for preschools.

At the Choosing a Preschool workshop, families learn about the variety of early education philosophies and proven indicators of a high quality program, as well as what to expect in the application process and strategies for evaluating their own needs.

While workshop instructor Charlene Walters understands firsthand the stress many parents feel during their preschool search, she strongly emphasizes the importance of staying flexible. She encourages families to create two lists: one with “must have” criteria and a second with things that are negotiable. One family’s needs may require full time care or a location near work. Another family might be set on a certain program philosophy or the language spoken by the teachers.

After reflecting on family priorities, Charlene recommends touring preschools and evaluating them based on several characteristics commonly found in high-quality programs: Do the teachers value the child’s individuality? Is there a low staff-to-child ratio? What level of education or training is required of the teachers, and is there a low turnover rate? How does the program encourage family involvement? Finally, what are the health and safety conditions of the classroom or building?

According to Charlene, many parents come to Choosing a Preschool workshops with false information or expectations based on stories from friends and online parent groups. Parents hear rumors about particular programs and early education philosophies, some of which may be misleading. Every family is different, so placing too much weight on another family’s experience can be risky.

Charlene summarizes the lesson she hopes to impart, “Parents want to know which preschool is the best, but it’s going to be different for every family based on their needs and priorities. What might work really well for one child is not necessarily going to work for another.”

Be honest with yourself about your child’s needs, pay attention to the indicators of a quality preschool program, and try to stay flexible. While searching and applying for preschool can be stressful, evaluating your top priorities will help you determine the best option for your family.

Monthly workshops take place throughout 2015. Click here for the full schedule.