Ladies-

I need help. I have a in home daycare that my son goes to 3 days a week. I am now looking for a preschool that is close to her. There are several around, but I don't know what I should be asking when I call to inquire about them. My church has one, but we don't care for the lady that is doing Ash's age group.

Any tips on what to ask when I call around. I know that I don't want him in an all day program, I feel that is too much for a 3-1/2 year old (next fall).

I also want it to be like school because he already goes to a daycare and that is not what I want.

Thank you for your help. We have to get him registered in the next few months for next fall.

Joye

Maybe you could ask if you could sit in on a session here and there before enrolling? If you can make time - kindof prescreen what goes on there, see if the adults handle the children well and teach them or if the children just run buckwild all day ;)

here's some things I would ask:

Ask about the schedule, and if they use a set curriculum, or if they just do projects and teachings on the fly. Ask what is expected of the children as far as progressing in learning (like numbers, colors, alphabet, shapes is a good thing, expecting them to do calculus is NOT lol). Ask how much time is devoted to play vs. learning.

Ask what kind of correction/discipline is used, and how often they find they are needing to discipline.

Ask if you would be allowed to exempt him from certain activities if you don't agree with them (for religious or personal reasons). You should be able to say "I don't want my child to do ___, could you please provide something like a coloring sheet and crayons and a space somewhere for my child to color quietly while the other children do that."

Ask about teacher/student ratios You don't want one adult responsible for like 50 children.

Ask to inspect the facility so you can look at cleanliness and upkeep.

Ask what their policy is on sick kids (do they isolate them with an adult til their parents can pick them up, or do they let other kids get all germy and sick too)...

Ask about religious affiliations (if they can give you an idea)... for instance if the kids are 90% from muslim or hindu families or something your child may be exposed to things you don't want him to be exposed to yet.

If your child has allergies you'll want to ask about how they handle that too.

Also is there a state bureau or something that handles regulating daycares? Or something?? you could try to find out and ask and see if anybody's filed complaints or some such.

Make sure they do background checks on everyone that will be involved with your kids (I am sure they do).

Ask for references from other parents. Call the parents and ask THEM questions about how they feel about the daycare/teachers/what goes on there.

OK those are things I would ask about. Maybe I am paranoid/overboard LOL but HEY these are KIDS we're talking about ;) I wouldn't hand them over to just anybody.

Those are great questions to ask. I too will be starting a search for preschool soon. Thanks for posting this!