Dear Parents: The most critical years of life for learning are between birth and five years old. The early childhood education and care you choose will establish the foundation for your child's future. KCAA designed this page to help you decide whether what you hear and what you observe are right for you and your child.
General Policies and Procedures
- What is the preschool's philosophy on early childhood education? Does it match your family's feelings on learning and discipline? Is it based on the need for hands-on experimentation and learning?
- What are the center's emergency procedures? Are staff members trained in first aid?
- Does the preschool have access to doctors, health advisors, psychologists, and social workers?
Program
- Is the program based on current information on how children learn and grow?
- Is the school day structured yet flexible enough to meet your child's needs?
- Is there sufficient variety and change of pace?
- Are activities designed to achieve the preschool's philosophical goals or are they designed only to keep the children busy?
- How is the program evaluated?
- How is nap or rest period handled?
- Are all children required to nap?
- Are excursions planned to extend or enrich the curriculum?
Physical Environment
- Is the environment inside and outside safe, pleasant and stimulating?
- Is there a wide range of activities available to the children?
- Are there spaces and equipment for each of the following?
- Dramatic play: dress-up clothes, house corner, dolls, puppets
- Creative movement and music: records, instruments
- Language skills: books, quiet corner, lots of conversation
- Gross motor exercise: climbing structures, riding toys, balance
- Fine motor exercise/cognitive development: puzzles, counting and sorting materials, science
- Water, sand and block play: water, tables, sand boxes, blocks
- Art Play: paints, easels, scissors, paper, crayons
- Are play materials accessible and appealing to children?
- Is the children's work prominently displayed?
- Is the equipment and furniture child size?
- Is the equipment safe and well maintained?
Children
- Do children seem happy, comfortable, involved, and stimulated?
- Do all types of children seem to be enjoying themselves in all play spaces?
- Are both boys and girls encouraged to play in all types of activities?
- Do the children interact cooperatively?
- Do children freely and comfortably interact with the staff?
- Are children allowed to move freely among activities?
- How are the development of self-control and self-confidence fostered?
- Is inappropriate behavior handled calmly, and with respect?
Staff
- How are the staff members selected?
- Do they have specialized training in early childhood education and care?
- Is there ongoing staff training?
- Are staff meetings held regularly?
- What happens when a staff member is absent?
- How are limits set? How do staff maintain control and guide behavior?
- Does the staff work well together? Do they appear to enjoy each other?
- Does the staff listen intently to the children's questions and comments? Do they get down to a child's level? Do they use a calm, pleasant tone of voice?
- Do they respond to a child's distress thoughtfully, respectfully and calmly?
Families
- Are parents allowed and encouraged to visit the preschool at any time?
- Are there opportunities for parent/teacher feedback and conferences?
- Do the parents and caregivers present appear to interact freely and comfortably?
- Is parent education offered?
- Are there opportunities to become involved in the life of the school through volunteering?
- Is tuition aid available?
Tips on Preparing Your Child To Learn
- Display your child's work. Build up your child's self-confidence with encouragement and praise.
- Help to develop your child's language skills by turning off the TV and having conversations with your child.
- Encourage your child to verbalize his thoughts and feelings. Listen to your child.
- Children who are allowed to converse with adults are more likely to speak confidently with teachers.
- Allow your child to make choices whenever possible.
- Encourage the thinking process by asking open ended questions of your child rather than providing the answers. For example, ask "What do you think this is made of?" "How does it feel/taste/smell/sound?"
- Reading to your child helps develop reading skills. Talk with them as they look at the pictures in the book.
- Know what is happening at school. Talk with your child about preschool, what kind of day it will be, activities your child will be doing.
- Take time to do things with your child. Ask questions so your child will begin to think and question the world around him/her.
