As a mom of a 6 and 3 year old, I have “been around the block” when it comes to choosing the perfect preschool. The experience has been enlightening, terrifying, rewarding and sometimes awkward all at the same time. Think of picking your child’s preschool much like you would a new relationship. Take caution when approaching. Heed the red flags early. Don’t blow off a good thing in the hopes of something better. And last but certainly not least, don’t be wooed by the outside, it’s the inside that counts. This all being said, let me tell you a tale.
When my now 6 year old daughter started preschool, it was magical. I remember the first day I toured the facility, I had a feeling of overwhelming security and assurance that my daughter would absolutely thrive there. Why? When we first walked in, the lobby boasted dozens of colorful paintings, projects and event pictures, the Director was super perky and welcoming and as we walked the halls all I noticed were splashes of whimsy everywhere, organization that put my OCD behavior to shame and immaculate classrooms. I was told about the school’s philosophy, including learning stations that the children participated in each day as a means to give them a “well rounded” education, coupled with Daily Reports that would break down all Sawyer would learn each day, in detail.
“Do you want to meet the 3 year old Teacher?” I was asked. I said yes but at that point it was no more than a formality, they had sold me. The teacher was reading a story when I came in, and she coyly looked up, smiled and returned to her reading. That wasn’t quite the reaction I was looking for but again, I was so impressed that it was not an issue.
Sawyer enjoyed making new friends, eating as a group and welcomed the concepts of “recess” and “being the door or snack helper.” She practiced being uber polite at home and often said please or thank you without prompting. But…and this is a big BUT, that’s about all we saw in the way of learning at her school. Sawyer’s teachers, who are supposed to be fabulous, were inexperienced, unenthusiastic and one was just plain unfriendly. When I arrived to volunteer on a holiday, I was told the kids made valentine bags, which I couldn’t wait to see. (Keep in mind, a major gripe of ours had been that not ONE project had come home in two months). Sawyer proceeded to show me a brown paper bag, slightly ripped with a blob of purple paint on it. Really? This is one of the biggest and best preschools? Couple all of this with “lost” projects that never made it home and daily reports where the biggest news flash for my child was that she liked the playground bugs, and I was done-zo. Sadly things never quite improved for Sawyer. We continued to attempt to find preschools that fit our strict criteria and all fell short. I am not impossible to please. But I expect a lot from the people who plan to educate and mainstream my children..especially when a hefty pricetag is attached.
Back then, I remember peering down at my drooly, giggly infant son and I had an epiphany. It was time to change my preschool stance. I needed a new “must have” list. Or maybe, just maybe, I had to throw the list away and go with my gut ONLY. Well either I’m lucky, or I’m getting good at this in my old age, but my son is completing his first year of preschool and I couldn’t be happier with his educational progress, teachers, friends and lessons he has learned. So I thought it was time to make some new criteria for all parents to think about when picking a preschool. Take it with a grain of salt, I’m no expert. But I am a mom who has been there, so here goes:
1. Don’t be skewed by “pretty and impressive” aesthetics.
2. Don’t look for flashy playgrounds or add ons.
3. MEET THE TEACHER your child is going to have and TALK TO him/her at LENGTH!
4. Address all concerns you have up front and look for honest responses not sugar coated kindness.
5. Really listen to the philosophies of the teacher not the school, those philosophies are usually canned.
6. Expensive does NOT equal BEST.
7. Don’t pick a daycare if you only need a preschool.
8. Visit many places and realize you need to be realistic, location is important, even if a phenomenal preschool lies over the river and through the woods.
9. Look at security measures and find out if you are allowed to show up anytime, unannounced.
Overall, I am not upset with how things worked out. Sawyer is well adjusted and does very well in Kindergarten. I grew. I learned. I’m human. That being said, I do want to send a shout out to my son Garrett’s preschool — Seeds of Knowledge. Thank you for finishing a grueling chapter in my life with a happily ever after twist.
I’m sending my first born to pre school in August. As a Seville resident, this is nice to hear. I know no one who has sent their child there, but have only heard “it’s good”. I haven’t gone to see their facility, but reading their curriculum and knowing there isn’t any free play concerned me. So we’re going elsewhere. Hoping the school we chose doesn’t let us down, if so, we’ll have to check out seeds of knowledge after all.
Hi Vicki! There is free play time, a lot of it, actually. There is not a lot of “outdoor” time but there is definitely free play at stations and they have a slide, kitchen area, and block/doll/train area. As the teachers pull the children aside for worksheets and art, the rest of the class plays. Because the kids are only there a few hours, we were looking at the academics moreso then free play, but I feel there is a good mix of both. My son was very clingy to me and shy when he started and now I feel he has the nicest group of friends and they are all very close. The small class size is ideal for building relationships. Good luck! 🙂