When Looking for a pre-school, there will be things that you want to make sure they offer. If there are certain things you are looking for, be observant when you do decide to tour a center. Every parent has different needs when looking for a center. Concerns of parents can be pricing, location, food, etc.
One thing when you decide to tour a center, make sure you feel welcomed when you get there, not just another parent walking through the door. The staff should have friendly, caring attitudes. Walking into a pre-school and seeing artwork throughout the class that was made by the children is a great thing. That alone shows you that the teachers have taken the time out to do things with your child.
Pre-school shouldn’t be considered a babysitting service, but a jump start on teaching your child the fundamentals of learning. Parents want their children to be the best they can be, so make sure you ask about curriculum, or lesson plans that the school may offer. All lesson plans differ from age groups. There is usually a curriculum which includes circle time. That’s where the main focus is put towards learning, numbers, colors, words, songs, reading books, days of the week, etc. Again, different things are taught to each age group. Lesson plans for the week/month are posted in most classrooms, or either sent home with the child. This is a way for you to be up to date on new upcoming events that the center will be doing. Some centers offer special activities for the children throughout the month, that would be posted in the newsletter. Some things you might run across as activities are water play, field trips, special visitors, and show & tell.
Another thing that is very important is the health of our children. Centers have scheduled meals each week, schedules differ from place to place. They usually offer breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack. Whereas some allow you to bring your child’s lunch from home.
The food we give our children should be good healthy food. I don’t mean you have to go all organic, which isn’t bad, but just take the time out to make good healthy food choices for your child. We know all children would sit down and eat cookies and milk for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if we let them. Young children see food as it is, food. We as parents have to make sure we are making the right choice for our children’s food habits. Sweets are OK in moderation. Most centers allow parties for holidays and birthdays. There are usually sweets involved, which is fine, just make sure that the meal plan that is offered is good for your child.
A center that has rules and regulations show they have structure. It would be better to have paperwork stating what things are allowed and not allowed. Rather than, them to say, “We don’t have a handbook.” A handbook is a good thing to have. It will allow you to be able to look at the important things that the pre-school offers. As in Hours of Operation, Pricing, Drop-Off Fees, Dress Code, & Cleanliness. These are things that every parent thinking of enrolling a child should take into consideration.
A big thing to make sure you ask about at any pre-school center is, who you are leaving your children with. Meaning, absolutely make sure they do background checks. When considering a center, make sure to ask if they require all employees to do background checks. Children can’t necessarily fend for themselves, so as parents we have to take it upon ourselves to have our best interest in mind for our children.
So when you are in search of a pre-school for your child, or you are just looking for a new location, take these things into consideration. Our children are our future and we need to make sure they are brought up with the utmost care. A happy child makes a happy home. 
Chelsie Comptom
