How will your child get to school? Will she ride a bus or will you pick her up and drop her off? How far away is the school from your home? These may seem like secondary concerns, but they are very important. If it takes a long time to get to school, your child may be too excited by the time they get there. At the same time, if preschool also functions as daycare for your child, a long car ride may serve as important quality time for your family. A preschool close to where you live may make it easier for your child to foster the friendships he makes in school, thanks to playdates and party invitations.
Believe it or not, preschool can be work for many kids, especially for those who have never been in a formal program away from home. Many preschool programs are for a half day or a few hours and with good reason -- after even a short amount of time many children, especially younger preschoolers -- are ready for a break and need some quiet time. Some preschools do offer extended hours. Ask about all the available options and decide which one will work best for your child. If you are unhappy with the option you have chose or if your circumstances have changed, chances are you can always switch.
At some point, doing a site visit to all of your potential choices is necessary. (If a school does not allow you to come for a visit, cross it off your list.) Call ahead to schedule a mutually-convenient time so you'll be able to meet with either the school principal, director, or a staff member to talk and take a tour of the facilities. You may also want to ask if you can observe a classroom in action. If you are permitted to do so, don't approach the teacher or children during the lessons and try to stay for at least a half hour so you can get a real feel for how the class runs. After you've done a visit on your own, and once you've narrowed down your choices, find out if it's possible to bring your child to the school to see what he thinks. Most schools will welcome the opportunity to meet potential students and a visit will also help your child start to understand what preschool is.
Priority number one in choosing a preschool? Picking the place where your child will be most happy. Academics are important, but your child has a lifetime of formal learning ahead of them. Preschool should be a place where your child learns to love school and learns to love learning.
