Questions for preschools: 10 questions to ask when choosing a preschool

40 Questions to Ask When Choosing Your Child’s Preschool

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In six months or so, we plan to move my 4-year old son Matthias to a new preschool. We are looking for a location that is close to where we live, and that has a strong Kindergarten readiness curriculum. While jotting down the questions that we wanted to ask prospective preschools, we began to think that we should make them public. Below you will a list of 40 questions that we think you should ask when choosing your child’s preschool.

1. What has been your response to Covid-19? What policies/protections do you have in place? How do you keep kids safe from infectious diseases?
2. In what ways do you implement an anti-racist curriculum or resources into your existing curriculum?
3. How important is diversity to your center’s teachers and administrators?
4. Do you serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks?
5. How do you prepare students for Kindergarten? Do you have a formal Kindergarten readiness curriculum?
6. How are preliteracy and numeracy skills taught at your center?
7. Can you tell us more about the school’s educational philosophy? Its overall curriculum?
8. Do you have any longitudinal data on your students’ learning outcomes after they leave your center and enter Kindergarten? How about Kindergarten through 12-grade?
9. Have any efficacy studies been done on the curriculum that you use?
10. Is certification a prerequisite for employment at your center?
11. What background checks do you run on prospective employees? Are they subject to criminal and child abuse checks? Do they undergo psychological and behavioral testing?
12. What is your stance on the importance of male teachers in early childhood centers and elementary schools?
13. Are you accredited and licensed by NAECY? The State of Virginia?
14. Have there been any complaints made against your center or any of its staff in the last year? If so, can you provide us with a list?
15. Can you provide us with a copy of your last NAECY Report?
16. Can you provide us with a copy of your policies and procedures handbook?
17. What are the racial demographics of your students and staff?
18. What days/holidays are the center closed?
19. What are your hours of operation?
20. How long have you been in business?
21. What will a typical day be like for my child?
22. Do the children go outside? How often, and for how long?
23. Do the children take naps? Where?
24. What is your center’s approach to discipline?
25. When and how are parents informed of discipline issues involving their child?
26. How do you handle bullying or teasing?
27. If I provide the food, are there any items that I can’t include?
28. What is your policy on food allergies?
29. What is your sick child policy?
30. Are the toys and games and equipment sanitized periodically?
31. How often is the play equipment inspected?
32. What is the policy for visitors?
33. What is your sign-in/sign-out procedure?
34. Who is allowed to pick my child up?
35. Do you have fire and emergency drills?
36. Do you have a disaster plan in place? What’s the procedure in case of an emergency?
37. What type of safety training do your teachers have
38. Is everyone in the building trained in CPR and first aid?
39. What is the student to teacher ratio?
40. Who else is in the building?

Questions Preschool Directors Wish Parents Would Ask

January 1, 2020

preschool

When parents get beyond, “is there an opening,” they often have no idea what question to ask the preschool director next. As a child reaches preschool age, parents face endless options about where to enroll their child. Will it be near home or work? What is the school’s educational philosophy? What type of preschool curriculum is used? Are the teachers experienced?

Preschool directors say that all of these factors are important—along with many more. The most surprising thing, says preschool director Vicki De Hamer is when parents don’t have any questions at all.

Here is some advice from preschool directors themselves on just what types of questions are best to ask when searching for a preschool in Maryland.

Questions parents should ask preschool directors

“I’m amazed when parents come in to enroll their child without asking any questions or touring the school,” says De Hamer. “Some parents have already made up their minds based on the referral from a friend. But the preschool has to be the right fit for each child.” Asking questions should be an important part of every preschool search.

How many questions are too many? De Hamer once had a parent who had three pages of typewritten questions but De Hamer did not mind answering all of them.

“There is no limit on the number of questions you can ask,” says De Hamer. “When you’re entrusting your child to me, you have every right to know the answer to every question you have.”

Preschool director Antoinette Crivello points out that preschools have a responsibility to provide information.

“I believe it is the job of the school staff to make sure that parents are very well informed about its curriculum. A well-organized school will have important information about the school outlined in a packet to give to families,” says Crivello. She adds, “There are, however, important questions that parents should have in mind when shopping for a school.”

Ask about educational philosophy

Preschool directors agreed that the most important questions parents should ask revolve around the type of educational philosophy that drives the school and the qualifications of the teachers.

“The parent needs to find a school that has a philosophy that they believe in,” says De Hamer, “not just the first school that has an opening.”

Questions may include:

What is the school’s educational philosophy? Is it developmental, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, academic, faith-based or something else? How does the philosophy shape the daily curriculum and activities? How does it affect class size? Does it support more group activities or individual learning? How is learning encouraged?

“I would expect a parent to ask what their child will be doing during the day,” says preschool director Jean Johnson. Educational philosophies can guide the way a day is structured. What may seem like play to parents is often an important part of learning.

Ask about teachers’ qualifications, turnover and training

Teaching qualifications vary greatly among preschools.

“There is little experience and education required by law for someone to be a preschool teacher,” notes Crivello. “Teachers at the beginning of their career can often be very good, but they should be working in a school where there are experienced staff to help mentor them.”

What is the turnover rate of the teachers?

“If there is a big turnover, it could be traumatic for the child who has to keep going through changes,” says De Hamer. Teachers and preschool directors who have been at a school for a long time are likely happy with their environment and this satisfaction filters down to the children.

What is the teacher-to-child ratio? An average class of 3- or -4-year-olds should have no more than 10 children per adult, according to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Also, ask preschool directors if their staff members are trained in CPR and First Aid. Have the teachers undergone a background check?

Ask about discipline

Every school deals with discipline a little differently. Is the way the school handles discipline compatible with the way you as the parent discipline your child? What is the policy for biting or disruptive students? How are parents notified of problems?

Ask about community involvement

“How does the school communicate with parents about their child and school happenings?” asks preschool director Ruth Phillips. Are there parent-teacher conferences? Is there a newsletter? Phillips explains that community building reflects the team efforts of parents and teachers.

“What can parents offer to the school in terms of services? Does their job provide free or discounted items that could be part of an auction?” asks Phillips. Are there opportunities for parents to be involved? Most importantly, can parents visit at any time?

“Parents should be able to drop in at any time,” says De Hamer. “If they can’t, parents need to ask ‘why.’”

Ask about extracurricular activities

Parents should ask preschool directors about extracurricular activities offered. Some special features to look for include: field trips, involvement in the community, music, art, physical education, foreign languages, guest speakers (such as a dentist or zookeeper), health screenings (auditory, visual), and parent workshops for kindergarten readiness.

Ask for references

“I wish more parents would ask for references,” says preschool director Darla Suder. “If they could talk with other parents of the center they would gain insight into the preschool and it could help ease their fears.”

You can find good referrals by talking with parents in playgroups, at the playground or in other children’s activities.

Ask about special needs and financial needs

Does the preschool accept children with special needs? Preschool director Jan Elliott suggests asking, “What is their policy on inclusion?”

Financial need is often overlooked. Are scholarships available for those who cannot afford full tuition? Does the school offer part-time or hourly pricing for those who do not need full-time care?

Ask about security

Security is more important today than ever before. Does the preschool have only one entrance and exit? Is the play area fenced in to keep young kids from wandering away during recess? What security measures are in place?

Don’t miss our Preschool & Kindergartens Directory.

Questions to ask yourself as you tour a preschool

Are the teachers getting down to the children’s level to talk with them?

Do teachers yell across the playground?

Are the rooms organized? Is children’s recent artwork displayed?

Do the classrooms have different activity stations?

Are there adequate areas to play inside and outside?

How do you and your child feel when you walk through the gate?

Do the children seem happy and busily engaged?

Pay attention to your child’s instincts as a clue to whether the school provides an environment that will support his growth and development.

For some of us, asking questions may seem contrary to an expectation of trust about the preschool or ourselves. Yet, preschool directors remind parents of that old adage, “The only stupid question is the one that isn’t asked.”

Best questions parents have asked preschool directors

We asked preschools in the area to let us know what was the best question a parent ever asked. Here are some of the responses:

Q. How do I best prepare my child for your preschool?

A. Read to them! – Liz Barclay, past admission director, at Indian Creek School in Crownsville

Q. In a co-op, where parents are involved and working in the classroom, when should a parent interfere with children who are experiencing a conflict?

A. It is impossible for the teacher to be involved in every little conflict. I have told parents to contact me if the conflict is more than a child could handle or if she wasn’t sure as to how to handle the conflict! – Lotte Weaver, former teacher at Magothy Cooperative School in Pasadena

Q. What is the turnover rate for the staff?

A. If staff has been employed for an extended time, you can tell that relationships have been built within the staff as well as with the children. High turnover shows that there is a management issue and children are less likely to build strong relationships with their caregivers and there is an issue in consistency. It helps get an idea as to the level of teamwork and what kind of relationships your child will develop while at the center. – Alice Anne Loftus, executive director/owner, Bright Beginning Children’s Learning Center in Crownsville

10 tips for choosing a quality preschool program

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) has developed 10 standards for quality programs for children. This list, based on the NAEYC standards, can be a starting point as you evaluate local programs.

Positive Relationships

• Teachers make children feel welcome
• Teachers help children learn to resolve conflicts in positive ways

Curriculum

• The program addresses children’s social, emotional, physical, language and cognitive development and builds foundations for school success in reading, math, science and the arts

Effective Teaching

• Teachers carefully supervise all children
• Children’s work is displayed in the classroom
• Teachers provide time for group and individual attention

Ongoing Assessment of Child Progress

• Teachers and families create learning goals for children
• Parents are provided with information about program activities
• Teachers meet regularly with parents to discuss their child’s progress

Health, Nutrition and Safety

• Children have regular opportunities to run and play
• Nutritious food is prepared, served and stored safely

Qualified Teaching Staff

• Teachers have necessary qualifications
• Teachers complete an orientation program before working with children
• The program provides continuing education opportunities for teachers

Family Engagement

• Families are welcome to visit the program
• Program staff and families plan events together

Community Relationships

• The program visits playgrounds, museums, libraries and other community resources
• Invites local musicians, artists and others to interact
• Helps families connect with support services

Safe and Healthy Physical Environment

• Toys and materials are clean and in good repair
• First-aid kits, fire extinguishers, fire alarms and other safety equipment are available and installed
• Outdoor play areas have fences or natural boundaries to them

Leadership and Management

• The director has necessary qualifications, such as a 4-year college degree with expertise in child development
• The program is licensed by the applicable state agency
• Written policies for health, safety and discipline are in place

—Elizabeth A. Berg

Originally published in 2013. Updated in 2021.

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Questions for preschoolers – 4 answers

Tests and exercises for the future first grader

1. Is the ball made of rubber?
2. Can you eat fly agaric?
3. Is the snow white?
4. Red fox?
5. Is a crow smaller than a sparrow?
6. Does the frog crow?
7. Can pigeons swim?
8. Does the watch have one hand?
9. Are bears white?
10. Does a cow have two legs?

I
I will name four words, and you name two of them that sound similar.
Onion, bear, grass, beetle.
Donkey, sled, watering can, cans.
Bear, shirt, cone, birch.

word pairs (for example)

Autumn – rain
Vase – flowers

Doll – dress
Cup – saucer
Book – page
Water – fish
Car – wheel
House – window
Kennel – dog
Clock – hands

Alyosha and Misha read poems fairy tales. Alyosha
I didn’t read fairy tales. What did Misha read?

Three trees grow: birch, oak and pine. Birch
below the oak, and the oak below the pine. Which tree is the tallest? What is the lowest?

Seryozha, Zhenya and Anton competed who
runs faster. Seryozha ran faster than Zhenya, and Zhenya ran faster than Anton. Who
ran first, and who came last?

Once upon a time there were three puppies: Kuzya, Tuzik and Sharik. Kuzya
fluffier than Tuzik, and Tuzik is fluffier than Sharik. Which of the puppies is the most fluffy? Which
smoothest?

Answer the questions :

1. Which animal is bigger – a horse or a dog?
2. In the morning we have breakfast, and at noon …?

3. It is light during the day, but
at night …?
4. The sky is blue, but the grass…?
5. Cherries, plums, sour cherries are…?
6. Why, before the train passes, along
Are the barriers going down?
7. What is Moscow, Kaluga, Kursk?
8. What is the difference between day and night?
9. A small cow is a calf, small
dog is… The little sheep is…?
10. Is the dog more like a cat or a chicken?
What, what do they have in common?

11. Why do all cars have brakes?
12. How are hammer and ax similar?
13. How are a squirrel and a cat similar to each other?
14. What is the difference between a nail and a screw? How would you
did you recognize them if they were lying here next to you, on the table?
15. Football, tennis, swimming is…?
16. What types of transport do you know?
17. What is the difference between an old person and a young one?
18. Why do people go in for sports?
19. Why is it shameful to avoid work?
20. Why should a letter be stamped?

Offer the child to find an extra word.

1. Old, decrepit, small, dilapidated.

2. Brave, wicked, courageous, courageous.

3.Apple, plum, cucumber, pear.

4. Milk, cottage cheese, sour cream, bread.

5. Hour, minute, summer, second.

6. Spoon, plate, bag, saucepan.

7. Dress, hat, shirt, sweater.

8. Soap, toothpaste, broom, shampoo.

9. Birch, oak, pine, strawberry.

10. Book, TV, tape recorder, radio.

Correctly choose the opposite in meaning
words . 9Answer
to questions.

What happens: sour, fast, red, soft?

Who can: jump, swim, growl, sing?

What does it do: a fish, an airplane, a frog, a car?

Explain the meaning of the words