Even thinking about preschool can be a lot for parents.
Honestly, wasn’t this kid just born? Now this?
And there are so many things to consider: Who has openings? What’s the best place? What’s in our budget?
We know how it is and Kansas City Mom Collective is here for you. Follow these six steps to help guide your decision-making, and check out St. Paul’s Episcopal Day School’s complete Choosing the Right Preschool guide for more details on what makes a school stand out from the competition.
1. Ask for Preschool Recommendations
Personal referrals are gold. Talk to your relatives, friends, neighbors, coworkers and parents you see around town.
Ask why they picked their preschool. Had they heard rave reviews? Did they know an employee who loved working there? Ask about the teachers — do they seem to truly care about the kids’ development? Are the academics strong? Are the kids learning and getting prepared for elementary school?
If parents have good things to say, and if the kids come home happy, put that school on your list of places to learn more about.
2. Do your Research on Potential Preschools
This is your baby we’re talking about. Once you have a few schools you’re interested in, dig in. Look up each preschool online.
See how much you can find out about how the school works, what each one offers, and how admission and payment works. The more detail you can find on the website, the better. That’s a sign of strong organization.
Find out about hours (and fees for late pickup), accreditation, daycare options, religious affiliation, and whether social emotional learning is offered.
To help you decide, think about what your child loves and needs. Do you have a clingy guy who could use help gaining independence? Do you have a strong-willed girl who might get a little feisty with teachers? Keep your child’s personality in mind when you’re looking at schools. Sometimes the “best” preschool might not be the best for your family or your particular child.
3. See Each Preschool for Yourself
Attend a tour, open house or just ask if you can visit during a typical school day.
When you’re there, look around. What’s the school culture? What do you think of the administrators and teachers? Do the students seem to be engaged, happy and thriving?
See if you like the way the teachers and students interact. Some parents prefer teachers to be soft-spoken and very gentle. Other parents like teachers who are on the stricter side. What do you value?
Ask about the teacher qualifications and if there’s much turnover. How will the school and teachers keep you informed about your child’s progress? How does the school communicate with parents — do they send emails, texts, letters home? Ask about the curriculum. Are fine arts offered? Do they teach languages other than English? Are any special programs available?
Look in the classrooms. See if you like the playground and any other common areas. Do the toys and equipment look safe and clean?
Find out what your role as a parent would be. Does the school like parents to volunteer? Can you imagine your child at the school? Can you see your family there?
Ask follow-up questions after your tour. Don’t worry about bugging them with extra emails or calls. This is your child, this is a big deal.
4. List your Top Priorities
No preschool is going to be perfect. What do you care most about? Here are some things to consider:
☑️ Teacher experience level
☑️ Hours
☑️ Location/accessibilities/transportation
☑️ Cost
☑️ Class sizes
☑️ Safety
☑️ Facilities and playground
☑️ Diversity
☑️ Religious education
☑️ Before and after-school care
☑️ Summer program
☑️ Is elementary school offered
5. Choose your Preschool
When narrowing down your choices, consider which school feels like a place where your child will be known and loved.
Think about whether the school’s values are aligned with your family’s values. And — this one is a biggie — ask yourself if you think you’ll be welcomed into a strong and inclusive community.
Then, follow your instincts. If you visit a preschool and it feels right, if it feels like a place where your child will be known and cared for, those are good signs.
6. Trust your choice
We told you, there’s no one perfect preschool.
You just need to find one that meets your child’s needs and your values. We think you will.
Curious about St. Paul’s?
As a parent, you want to make the best choices possible for your child, especially when it comes to selecting a preschool. St. Paul’s wants that, too.
Its accredited preschool/early childhood program is the foundation of a St. Paul’s education. The program for 2- to 6-year-olds includes a kindergarten year, where students internalize the basics they learned in their years as early learners (age 2), preschool (age 3), and prekindergarten (age 4).
Students leave the St. Paul’s Early Childhood Center armed with the tools they need for life. The school’s trained and certified faculty’s central goal is to help each student grow in independence and self-regulation, as they become life-long learners.
The nurturing St. Paul’s Early Childhood Center environment creates a balance of work and play with a range of creative materials for learning. ECC teachers provide opportunities to develop independence, confidence, and cooperation as they build important academic readiness and social-emotional skills.
Go to speds.org or email [email protected] to request a viewbook. Schedule a visit to see what makes St. Paul’s a special place to learn and grow.
