First of all, if you haven’t already picked out a school, make a list of a few that you want to observe. I would go and observe each program for about an hour and watch without your child so you can get a good observation. Ask yourself some questions. "Are the children happy? Do the teachers seem happy? Are the children respectful? Does the teacher have good classroom management skills? Do the children "run a muck" or are they calm? Is the classroom clean and orderly?" Once you do this you will get a feel for the program and know if it is the right one for you.
I would ask how long the teachers have been there. Good programs keep their teachers. I would also ask about the teacher’s education. Find out if the school follows a teaching philosophy (Montessori, High Scope) if the teachers are trained in that area. Ask the teacher some hypothetical questions and see how she responds. "What would you do if a child bit another child? What would you do if a child broke something on purpose?" See if her responses match your ideas. Make sure that the teachers are trained in CPR. Find out about their sick policy. Go with your gut!
Once your find a school (if you already haven’t), take a day and go visit the school with your child. Tell him/her you're just there to watch what they do. Make sure you take some time to talk with his/her teacher to show that you are "friends" with her and that you like her. It often helps when a child knows that mom has a connection with the school.
Take your child to his/her new school several times before he/she starts. Drive by and say “That’s going to be your new school!” Let your child play on the playground to get familiar with it.
Try and set up some play dates and carpools for your child when they start the new school. It will greatly help him/her ease into the new school.
Make a quick exit when you drop your child off. Give a hug and kiss and say "goodbye". Your child will be more anxious if it is a prolonged goodbye. Do your best not to feel anxious. If you are feeling anxious, he/she will pick up on it and it will be much more difficult for him/her to transition.
It will take a little time, but your child will soon get used to the change and begin to enjoy their new school. Hope this helps! Good luck!
I would ask how long the teachers have been there. Good programs keep their teachers. I would also ask about the teacher’s education. Find out if the school follows a teaching philosophy (Montessori, High Scope) if the teachers are trained in that area. Ask the teacher some hypothetical questions and see how she responds. "What would you do if a child bit another child? What would you do if a child broke something on purpose?" See if her responses match your ideas. Make sure that the teachers are trained in CPR. Find out about their sick policy. Go with your gut!
Once your find a school (if you already haven’t), take a day and go visit the school with your child. Tell him/her you're just there to watch what they do. Make sure you take some time to talk with his/her teacher to show that you are "friends" with her and that you like her. It often helps when a child knows that mom has a connection with the school.
Take your child to his/her new school several times before he/she starts. Drive by and say “That’s going to be your new school!” Let your child play on the playground to get familiar with it.
Try and set up some play dates and carpools for your child when they start the new school. It will greatly help him/her ease into the new school.
Make a quick exit when you drop your child off. Give a hug and kiss and say "goodbye". Your child will be more anxious if it is a prolonged goodbye. Do your best not to feel anxious. If you are feeling anxious, he/she will pick up on it and it will be much more difficult for him/her to transition.
It will take a little time, but your child will soon get used to the change and begin to enjoy their new school. Hope this helps! Good luck!
Source(s):
Montessori preschool/kindergarten teacher (12 years experience)
