Long Island Parent Magazine serving Nassau and Suffolk Counties New York
Compiled by Liza N. Burby
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We know that this holiday season the fall 2012 school year seems far in the future. But if you have a child who will be attending preschool, it’s not too soon to begin the search process for the right fit.
In fact, parents should begin their search just a few weeks after the New Year, advises Dana Friedman, Ed.D., president of the Early Years Institute in Plainview. “It’s best to look starting in January so you have time to visit programs and see what would be a good choice for your children. The better programs fill up quickly because so many children return the next year and they get word-of-mouth publicity.”
Lindi Nubel, director of Roslyn Trinity Co-op in Roslyn, now in its 60th year, says another reason to start in January is that you need time to see a variety of programs in session before making a decision. Most schools hold open houses in January as well, which makes visiting easier.
But how do parents decide which preschool is right for their child? With so many programs and limited classroom space, choosing the right school can be an overwhelming task. The good news is it doesn’t have to be. Nubel says there are certain measures parents can use to help them select a preschool that’s right for their child.
Getting Started
It’s helpful to note that the word preschool encompasses many types of learning environments. “Pre-K (which is run through the schools) is different from child care centers, Head Start programs, family child care homes and nursery schools,” explains Friedman. “They all take care of children, but their hours and the requirements for staff, as well as the ancillary services they provide, are different.”
Yet the selection criteria parents should use when considering a prospective school remains the same regardless of the type of care your family chooses. Start by making a list of preschools in your area. Find them through the Child Care Councils of Nassau and Suffolk (www.childcarenassau.org; www.childcaresuffolk.org), your Chamber of Commerce, library and most important, other parents.
Factor geography and timing into your choices; it’s important to determine how far you’re willing to travel and if the program will fit into your schedule.
Another consideration is how many days you want your child to attend. Many schools offer two-, three- or five-day programs or some combination. Lori Fagan, principal of Gloria Dei Nursery Preschool in Huntington Station, which has been in existence for over 40 years, says that many schools have become more flexible to accommodate working families. In fact, her school has three sessions a day, rather than the traditional two, since her parents’ hours vary.
Curriculum Considerations
In addition, consider different teaching methods when making your decision. Some parents want schools to have an academic focus and expect kids to have computer time. But Fagan says research shows children learn best when they play and “most already get plenty of computer time at home.”
“Of course the choice is individual. But parents should find a place that offers a loving, caring and nurturing environment, where children learn basic social skills like sharing, and get to spend plenty of time using their imaginations,” Fagan says. Be sure to find out if the program’s curriculum includes a variety of age-appropriate activities and if there’s a daily balance of play, story, activity and nap times offered to the children.
Your First Visit
After you’ve narrowed your list to a few preschools, you’ll want to visit each one. Nubel recommends that parents visit three to four schools since you’ll likely find that they’re all different.
“When you visit, trust your gut. When you walk into a school, you’ll get a feel for it,” she says. “And don’t just visit during open houses, but also during a regular school schedule. You want to get a sense of how your child will spend their day and how well the teacher interacts with children. They can have the fanciest equipment, but the highest determinant of a quality program is the interaction between the teacher and children.”
Nubel says you can bring your child with you, but the decision should be yours “as very often a child will see something they like—or don’t like—at that moment, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right choice. Trust your decision.”
There are very practical factors to consider besides your personal reactions as well. You also want to find out the following:
1. Is the program regulated by New York State, licensed by the Office of Children & Family Services or accredited by a national organization such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)?
2. Make sure there’s enough “moving around space” both inside and outside.
3. Does the school comply with the recommended adult/child ratio of approximately 1 teacher to 5 children for 2-year-olds; 1-to-7 for 3-year-olds, and 1-to-10 for 4-year-olds?
4. Outdoor play spaces should be separated from traffic, both foot and vehicular, by a gate or fence kids can’t open from the inside.
5. Make sure children will be within sight of an adult at all times. If there are separate rooms, there should be an adult in each room. If there’s a more open arrangement, adults should be able to see over room dividers.
6. Check for basic safety features such as child-size furniture and bookshelves secured to the wall.
7. Inquire if the teachers have degrees in early development. Ask about their backgrounds and their opportunity for professional development. This will provide you with a clue as to how professional a program is.
It’s also a good idea to learn what the school’s policies are on issues such as handling separation anxiety, administering emergency medical attention and dismissal.
For separation, many preschools practice a “phase-in” period that allows children to start the school year with a parent in the classroom. They then phase you out of the mix in a slow, steady fashion.
When it comes to a medical emergency, schools should have a plan in place. Some preschools have a nurse on hand, while others may have parents sign a form that permits the school to administer emergency medical attention.
Parents also need to know how the school handles dismissal. For instance, most schools require parents to fill out a dismissal sheet on which they must provide the names of all persons permitted to pick up their child.
The Benefits of Early Education
The big question for most parents is whether or not sending their child to preschool will give them a boost when they head off to kindergarten and grade school. Experts emphatically believe that it does.
“Effective preschool programs capitalize on a time when children’s brains are rapidly developing, laying a foundation of social skills, knowledge and self-confidence that paves the way for success in kindergarten and beyond,” explains Friedman, whose organization works with numerous organizations across the Island to improve the early childhood experience. She notes that skills such as following a routine, getting along with others, learning how to wait, to take turns and to listen, are coupled with learning opportunities that are interwoven into a high-quality curriculum.
“The majority of 3- and 4-year-olds go to preschool. Those who don’t attend may find kindergarten a little hard for them,” says Nubel. “The ultimate goal of preschool is for them to gain more emotional independence and of course to be happy.”
Liza N. Burby is the mother of two daughters who attended a preschool so nurturing she was sorry when they graduated to kindergarten.
Where to Find More Information
New York State Early Childhood: www.earlychildhood.org
Zero to Three: www.zerotothree.org
Pre-K Now: www.preknow.org
Talaris Research Institute: www.talaris.org
Office of Child and Family Services: www.ocfs.state.ny.us
