Checklist For Pre-school

By Author: Tanya Wiseman
Total Articles: 45
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Before selecting a Pre-School

Before selecting a suitable childcare for your child, you should visit several ones in the area of your home or work. There are specific points you should take to consideration, before selecting a pre-school.
Contact the childcare provider to arrange for an appointment just for you (best not to bring your child on the first visit). Find out how long the tour and the visist will take. http://www.abclittleschool.com
Prepare all your questions, even make a list of things you want to find out about, so that you do not forget.
Find out basic information:
Name, address, telephone number of the pre-school.
Hours of operation.
The cost of tuition, and any additional fees (etc insurance, materials, books)
The credentials and licensing info, that is applicable to a specific age group.
Meals. (Some school will provide meals for your children).
Toilet or patty training rules.

Physical Facility, Health and Safety.
Floors (carpeted or have nonskid covering)
The cleanness of the premises.
No smoking signs.
No ...
... children are seen in with soiled diapers.
Cleaning supplies, medicines, detergents are out of reach of children. Securely closed in the special place.
Electrical outlets are covered with safety caps.
Learning materials, toys and other supplies are in a adequate condition.
No sharp edges, splinters, or loose parts.
First-aid trained teachers and first-aid supplies are available.
Each child has an individual space to store coats and belongings, such as a cubby, box, coat hook, or drawer.
A space can be made dark and quiet for naptime, and a clean cot is set up in this space for each napping child.
The toilet is easy for the children to get to. And also has a special children's size.
Outdoor play area has both a bare surface for riding toys and a soft surface, like sand or grass, for playing.
The pre-school has a warm, cozy and safe environment.
Caregivers credentials and competencies.
Appropriate amount of teachers per child (not only by law, but also that your child gets personal and individual attention as needed).
Efficient communication of teacher and children. The teachers should be able to explain in clear steps what they want the children to do, answer children's questions patiently, frequently kneeling down to the child's eye level when talking.
Children appear happy, comfortable, and relaxed - laughing, smiling, involved in play.
Children enjoy one another - smile at each other, hold hands, hug, help each other more than they fight or argue.
Teachers and caregivers seem warm and affectionate with the children, smiling, cuddling, and speaking pleasantly.
Teachers and caregivers use children's first names or nicknames when talking to or about them. Caregivers do not refer to children by unpleasant names, such as "smarty," "brat," etc.
Caregivers are seen working and playing with the children more than standing back and directing or ordering them around.
Caregivers encourage children to do some things for themselves, patiently giving time and help and praise so that the child can learn to master the skill, such as getting a drink alone, washing hands, putting away a coat or toy.
The caregivers are people you would like your child to copy or imitate. In other words, children are apt to "do as caregivers do, more than as they say."
The teachers and caregivers use appropriate discipline and guidance methods.

Program Materials.
Attractive and well-written story and picture books are available for the children.
Teachers encourage listening and talking through planned activities like storytelling, word games, puppetry, and show and tell.
The pre-school has materials for quiet play, such as puzzles, and active play, such as riding toys.
Children can get at least some materials by themselves and are encouraged to take care of and put away materials.
There are enough toys and materials so that each child can participate without having to wait more than a few minutes.
For at least part of the day, children can choose what they want to do, either individually or in small groups.
Teachers and caregivers encourage both boys and girls to play with all the materials - such as climbing and riding toys, dress-up clothes, tools, dolls, cars, and trucks. Caregivers do not give children the idea that a certain activity is only for boys or only for girls.
Children have the opportunity to use creative materials, such as paint, crayons, big blank pieces of paper rather than coloring books, paste, clay or play dough, scissors, and pencils.
The children's art work is displayed in the center and is also sent home for parents.
The outdoor play area has cartons or boards for building, sandbox with sand toys, low slide, riding toys, balance beam, tires, and see-saw.

Meals and Nutrition's:
Meal and snack menus are posted so that parents know what the children are eating at the pre-school.
Assigned place for lunch boxes, and refrigerator available.