What Makes a Good Pre-school Program?

If you have a child between the ages of three and six, now is the time to enroll them in preschool for next September. Registration for most local schools is underway.

How do you find a good-quality program that meets the needs of your child?

First, call the schools in your area to obtain basic information such as class schedules, teacher qualifications and tuition costs.

Next, schedule a tour of various facilities to see them in action. A school should welcome prospective parents and their children in to not only observe a class, but participate as well.

First impressions can tell you a great deal about a program.

• Are you welcomed into the building and classroom?
• Does the teacher greet your child in a warm, friendly way?
• Is the classroom safe, clean and well organized?

Pay attention to what the children are doing. There should be plenty of age appropriate materials such as blocks and construction toys, props for pretend play, puzzles, pegboards and small manipulative toys.

There should be a variety of art materials available; plenty of opportunities for painting of all kinds.

A good program will provide plenty of sensory materials for children to experiment with. Look for sand, water, rice, cornmeal or other items available in a sensory table. Teachers should read frequently to children in both small and large groups.

The curriculum should include a variety of activities to meet the needs of all children.

There should be plenty of singing, dancing, music and movement in addition to reading, storytelling and finger plays.

Children should be moving throughout the day.

Worksheets are not appropriate for pre-school children! Children should never be sitting for long periods of time. At least one hour of each school day should be devoted to free play time in learning centers. Children need long, interrupted periods of play.

Part of each day should be devoted to gross motor development as well. Large indoor and outdoor spaces should be available for running, jumping, pedaling and climbing.

Of most importance is the manner in which the teaching staff relates to the chidren.

• Does the teacher get down on the child's level?
• Does the teacher engage with all the children in the classroom?
• A good teacher should facilitate play with groups of children, offer encouragement to all, and re-direct negative behavior before it escalates.
• And how do the children relate to the teacher?
• Do they aproach the teacher with questions or problems?
• Do the children appear comfortable and attached to the teaching staff?

Cheryl Hoover is the Director of Northampton Christian Preschool and the mother of four grown children.