Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Play-Based Learning, Preschool Alternative, STEAM, Mommy and Me, progressive, traditional, the list of early childhood education curriculums and programs goes on and on and for first-time parents, it’s like deciphering another language. When choosing a program for your under 5-year-old it can feel completely overwhelming. Who you trust your child to is a big decision and being well informed will give you peace of mind and help ensure a pleasant first school experience for your little one.
I strongly encourage parents to choose three to five places near their home and go for a visit. Location is key because especially in the winter, getting your child to and from the school is no easy feat, and going in person will help give you a true picture of the environment and a chance to get to know the staff outside of the glossy pages of a brochure.
Below are a few questions you can ask that will give you a better understanding of the school and community so you can make the most informed decision possible.
Philosophy/methodology: Ask what their views on learning are. Nowadays, most ECE programs are some form of play-based learning, meaning they follow the lead of the child and teach through activities. Many use aspects of multiple traditional programs to create their own unique curriculum and that is fine as long as they can articulate their philosophy and implementation to you.
A warning about schools that say they are strictly Montessori or Reggio Emilia: Both of these programs are excellent and require very specific training and certifications both for the teachers and the school. However, many schools use the name but don’t have a single teacher who is trained and certified on staff. If they claim to be Montessori make sure they aren’t just using a name brand to charge you a higher price. They should actually be experts in this particular pedagogy.
Staff qualifications: This is very important. Working with children this age requires a specific skillset and unfortunately, too many programs hire anyone with a fun demeanor but no real skills or experience. Teachers and administrators should have at least a bachelor’s degree and multiple years of hands-on experience at reputable institutions. Younger staff may not have these yet, that’s normal as all institutions need to train and develop talent. But they should, at the very least, be in the process of certification and paired with experienced staff while not leading the class themselves.
Turn-over-rates: This is overlooked by many parents but it is important for two reasons. First, your child is separating for the first time and in order for that to be successful, they need to bond with and learn to trust their teachers. That cannot happen if it is a revolving door of faces and it could in fact make separation a damaging experience for them.
Secondly, if there is high staff turnover it is a sign that there could be a problem with administration. The number one reason I hear teaching staff give for leaving an ECE program is “administration cared more about making money than what was good for the kids.” Don’t get me wrong, I am a firm advocate for well-run professional programs making a profit because they provide a valuable service to our families and communities, but the students well being always needs to come first. If teachers are overworked, and classrooms are understaffed to save on payroll or quality classroom resources are scant, teachers won’t stay, nor should they.
Don’t let admin skate by with a generic answer either. Ask specific questions like “How many of your teachers have been with you for more than two years?” or “Last year how many staff members left mid-year, why?” Take extenuating circumstances into consideration. Covid hit a lot of people hard and many staffers returned to their home countries mid-year. So slightly higher turnover rates are normal now but if it’s a completely new staff from last year that might be a red flag.
How they handle separation: There are a lot of theories on how to handle this major developmental step. The school should have a specific policy that they can outline for you. Are they immediate separation or gradual? Do they expect parents to stay until the child is comfortable regardless of how long it takes? What parent programs or workshops do they offer on this?
You and the school you choose need to be in lockstep on this for your child to have a smooth experience. So make sure you are comfortable and willing to follow the school’s plan in its entirety.
Parent communication: Some parents want daily photos of their child in WeChat while others are fine with a monthly written update on their progress or a quarterly in-person parent meeting. Know how the school likes to communicate and how often.
Discipline: It’s a necessary part of any classroom. Children will inevitably act out, it’s a normal part of development. The center should have a clear policy on how they handle everything from sharing to hitting. You should be comfortable with that policy.
Language: This is a special expat situation. Do you want your child in a bilingual environment, speaking your native language, or immersion? There is no wrong answer, you just need to pick what’s right for you and your child.
Extra events and activities: Many families are looking for a sense of community when they join a school. Does the program offer holiday parties, special events, or parent workshops that will help you connect with other families dealing with the same issues you are?
What to observe: Sometimes what is not said is the most powerful indicator. I suggest looking for three specific things.
- Are children and staff generally happy and engaged? Yes, there will be a few crying children, that’s normal. But are most of the kids excitedly working on their projects and are the teachers enjoying guiding them or are they on their phones?
- Cleanliness: If there is no soap in the bathroom, the diaper genie is overflowing or the sink is filled with dishes, that tells you something. You won’t be able to avoid all germs in a communal situation. Your child will get colds occasionally and frankly, that’s probably good for their immune system. But you can make sure that your little one has a clean and inviting environment to play in, and that reasonable standards are met.
- Look at the artwork on the wall. This is one of my favorite parent tips. If all the art looks pretty much the same, the kids didn’t make it. The teachers did. If it all looks different and even a little wacky that’s a good sign that this school lets the children explore and express themselves. And that’s really what those early years are about.
Last but not least, trust your gut. No one knows your child like you do. So, if it feels like a good fit it probably is. If something feels wrong, even if you’re not sure what it is, trust that instinct.
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Images: Unsplash
