What To Look Out For During Preschool Visits

You’ve heard stories of parents queuing up overnight, doing hours of volunteer work or blowing big bucks just to get their little one into a ‘prestigious’ preschool. Now your baby is slowly growing to preschool age, and you’re starting to wake up in the middle of the night in cold sweat – is it your turn to pay your dues?

Whilst extreme measures such as those might make you feel like you’ve done everything you could to give your child the best in early childhood education, these efforts are often misguided. Sparkling brand names are oftentimes the result of good marketing techniques rather than actual quality, and don’t guarantee your child the care, learning opportunities and stimulation he requires to reach his maximum potential.

More important than a good name or location, the perfect preschool needs to fit your child just right.

So before you get sucked into the crazy world of wait-lists, invest some time making quality preschool visits with your child.

Here are 5 things you should look out for when visiting your shortlisted schools:

1. Vibe

• Trust your mommy instincts; what kind of first impression did the school leave on you when you stepped through the door? Did it feel like a cozy, vibrant place, or was it somewhat cold?
• Do the children in the centre look cheerful?
• Do the teachers smile to acknowledge your presence?
• Are the children engaged during lessons?

Tip: Listen to the children’s responses during lessons and take note of how the teachers respond in return; what kind of tone and language do they use? Try to observe how the teachers interact with each other as well.

2. Environment

• Is there designated space for outdoor play? Do the playgrounds and sandpits look clean and safe?
• Are there facilities for indoor play in the event of bad weather?
• Is the furniture child-sized, or do children have to sit on the floor constantly?
• Does the school feel clean?
• Are the classrooms decorated with children’s works?
• Are the teaching materials and learning resources in good condition?

3. Curriculum

• What’s unique about the school’s curriculum?
• Is there a progressive learning plan for the children? (e.g. They shouldn’t be using the same learning materials from Nursery to K2)
• Are enrichment lessons included? (eg.  Speech & Drama, abacus, music, dance etc)

4. Communication

• How does the preschool communicate with the children’s parents?
• How can you check on your child’s progress in school?
• How many parent-teacher meetings/conferences are there in a year?

5. Your child’s reaction

• Is your child cringing behind you?
• Does your child interested in the toys and books offered?
• Does he/she seem to enjoy looking around?
• What is his/her opinion of the school after the visit?