Choosing a preschool is a big decision and it’s normal to wonder what questions you should ask during a tour.
After nearly 20 years of partnering with families in Bend, Oregon, we’ve learned that every family values something a little different. The best preschool isn’t necessarily the one with the fanciest building or the longest list of amenities, it’s the one where you feel confident your child will be safe, supported and excited to go.
Here are a few questions we encourage every family to ask:
How long have your teachers been here?
Children thrive when they build relationships with familiar, trusted adults. Teacher retention often reflects the culture of a school and the consistency children experience each day.
How do you handle challenging behaviors?
Every child has big emotions from time to time. Ask how teachers respond when children are frustrated, upset or struggling. A thoughtful program will focus on teaching skills, preventing problems before they happen and partnering with families through open communication.
How do you communicate with parents?
A strong preschool to family partnership is built on communication. Whether it’s celebrating milestones or working through challenges, families should feel informed, supported and included. Updates and communication should exist in a way that works well for the family.
What does a typical day look like?
Ask about the daily schedule, outdoor play, learning opportunities and how much time children have for play, outside time, creativity and exploration.
Is my child ready for preschool?
If this is something you’re wondering, you’re not alone. We recently shared our thoughts in “How Do I Know If My Child Is Ready for Preschool?” because it’s one of the most common questions families ask. The answer is different for every child and every family.
Does the school calendar work with our schedule?
Make sure a calendar is available and that your family can work around any planned closures. As a program that prioritizes the self-care of our staff, we do have seasonal and holiday closures so that our team can restore themselves and have time with their family during these special times. We recognize the uniqueness of each family and that being closed for spring break, for example, may not work for every prospective family – AND – that many families can work around this. We recently heard from a family about enrolling their student in our Friday program but wanted to make sure that the Friday team had the same self-care prioritization and could take time off as needed as this was a significant factor in why they chose our school.
Other logistical considerations to ask about are weather related closures, specifically snow and smoke. This has been something we’ve heard more and more about from incoming families who have experienced surprises
Finally, don’t overlook your own instincts or questions that are specific to your needs.
As you’re walking through the classrooms, ask yourself:
• Do I feel welcomed here?
• Do the teachers seem engaged with the children?
• Can I picture my child here?
• Does this feel like a place where our family will be supported and welcomed?
Whether you choose a preschool/pre-k program with older children or an all ages in home childcare program, a nanny or something else, what matters most is finding an environment where your child is loved, safe, respected, attended to and encouraged to grow. When parents feel confident in their decision, children will feel that confidence too.
We encourage families to tour multiple programs, ask questions and choose the school that feels like the best fit for their child and their family.
By Katie Brandow, LCSW
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