When looking for a new center or school for your child you need to be choosy. Your child is precious! While one center might look great to you remember to take into account your child’s personality and learning style. While you might like the classroom that is neat, clean and perfectly organized, your child might need to get messy and really dig into things to learn best. Remember though, that looks are not everything in a center. The most important ingredient in a great care environment is LOVE. New toys, new carpet and pretty things make an environment seem great at first, but look further for a center with teachers who are genuinely interested in your child and family and respect the children, families and their fellow teachers.
Here are several things to look for when selecting a center or pre-school:
Social Environment:
–Calm teachers using positive discipline. While no one is perfect, teachers should be positive most of the time. Example: “We use our hands for high fives” said in a calm manner rather than, “NO HITTING!” being shouted.
–Proximity of teachers to students. Example: Are teachers hanging out at one side of the room or are they up and down mixing about the room with the children? On the playground they should be mixing with the children and interacting as well.
–Communication between staff, children and parents should be generally positive in nature with eye contact and smiles
–Ratio of teachers to children should ALWAYS be correct (ratios depend upon the age of the children).
–Do the children seem to know what to be doing and what is next?
–Is there a sense of organized beneficial chaos or a sense of rigid schedule and rules?
–Are the teachers approachable during tours but not to the extent that they are distracted from the children?
Physical Environment:
–Cleanliness shows pride in ones’ classroom/school but perfection might mean looks matter more than the children.
–Clutter which demonstrates creative energy is good, but dusty clutter sitting for too long is not okay.
–Old toys and furniture are fine as long as they are clean and in good repair. Perhaps the center is saving money for new equipment or is more focused on materials for the children.
–Are art supplies out of reach of children or accessible?
–Are walls covered with child-generated unique artwork or crafty “cookie cutter” projects and store-bought decorations? Unique pieces demonstrate complex thought while projects which all look alike demonstrate a focus on following directions.
–Is the furniture child sized and comfortable? Some children spend 10 or more hours per day in child care and need a home-like area to relax in.
–Are the playgrounds appropriate for your child’s age, size and interests? Are playgrounds used for learning? Are there natural areas for exploration and play?
–Are hallways sterile and plain or are they used for learning?
–Are children lined up and silent in the hallways when walking from one area to another? Although we expect that of elementary aged children, it is not developmentally appropriate for toddlers and early Pre-k aged children.
–Is the temperature comfortable?
–Are the baseboards and corners of the rooms clean?
–Are the staff areas of the building clean?
Kitchen/Food Prep Areas:
–Look for a clean, well-organized kitchen.
–Are cupboards clean inside?
–Look at the expiration dates on the packages and the quality of the food to see if it meets your standards.
–Read the menus and see if the food is of the type and quality you are comfortable with. Ask about seconds and quantities served.
–Are juice and fruity drinks served frequently? Is milk served frequently?
–Does the center participate in the state monitored food program?
Center Policies:
–Is scheduling flexible?
–Do families earn vacation time or is there a “time off” policy?
–How are sick days handled?
–Are you required to make an appointment for a tour or can you drop in?
–Do teachers send a daily communication log home?
–Are parents encouraged to drop in and see their children anytime?
There are many things to consider about a new center, but your child’s happiness is the most important thing in the end. A place to be their home away from home, a “family” of friends and teachers who love them and help them continue on their journey through childhood are two of the most important ingredients in the mix.
