Questions to Ask When Touring a Preschool
Essential questions to ask when touring a preschool that help you evaluate the program, environment, and fit for your child's needs, while ensuring you make an informed decision about your child's early education.
1What is your educational philosophy and approach to early childhood development, and how do you implement it?
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What is your educational philosophy and approach to early childhood development, and how do you implement it?
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Why this works
Critical for understanding their teaching approach and ensuring you understand their educational philosophy and how it's applied in practice.
2What are your teacher qualifications and experience, and how do you ensure quality education?
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What are your teacher qualifications and experience, and how do you ensure quality education?
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Why this works
Important for understanding the teaching quality and ensuring you're confident in the educators who will be working with your child.
3What is your student-to-teacher ratio, and how do you ensure individual attention for each child?
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What is your student-to-teacher ratio, and how do you ensure individual attention for each child?
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Why this works
Reveals the level of individual attention available and helps you understand how much personal attention your child will receive.
4What are your daily routines and schedules, and how do you balance learning and play?
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What are your daily routines and schedules, and how do you balance learning and play?
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Why this works
Critical for understanding the daily structure and ensuring you understand how the program balances academic learning with play and social development.
5What are your safety and security measures, and how do you ensure child safety?
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What are your safety and security measures, and how do you ensure child safety?
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Why this works
Important for understanding their safety protocols and ensuring you feel confident about your child's safety and security.
6What are your communication policies and procedures, and how do you keep parents informed?
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What are your communication policies and procedures, and how do you keep parents informed?
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Why this works
Reveals their approach to parent communication and helps you understand how you'll stay informed about your child's progress and activities.
7What are your discipline and behavior management approaches, and how do you handle challenging situations?
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What are your discipline and behavior management approaches, and how do you handle challenging situations?
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Why this works
Shows you care about their approach to discipline and gives you insight into how they handle behavioral issues and challenging situations.
8What are your curriculum and learning activities, and how do you assess child development?
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What are your curriculum and learning activities, and how do you assess child development?
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Why this works
Critical for understanding their educational program and helps you learn about what your child will be learning and how their progress is measured.
9What are your facilities and resources, and how do you ensure a stimulating environment?
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What are your facilities and resources, and how do you ensure a stimulating environment?
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Why this works
Important for understanding the learning environment and ensuring you're confident about the facilities and resources available to your child.
10What are your policies on illness and health, and how do you handle sick children?
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What are your policies on illness and health, and how do you handle sick children?
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Why this works
Reveals their health policies and helps you understand how they handle illness and maintain a healthy environment.
11What are your policies on meals and snacks, and how do you accommodate dietary needs?
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What are your policies on meals and snacks, and how do you accommodate dietary needs?
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Why this works
Critical for understanding their nutrition approach and helps you learn about meal policies and how they handle dietary restrictions.
12What are your policies on nap time and rest, and how do you accommodate different sleep needs?
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What are your policies on nap time and rest, and how do you accommodate different sleep needs?
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Why this works
Important for understanding their approach to rest and helps you learn about how they handle different sleep schedules and needs.
13What are your policies on potty training and bathroom use, and how do you support children?
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What are your policies on potty training and bathroom use, and how do you support children?
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Why this works
Reveals their approach to potty training and helps you understand how they support children in this important developmental milestone.
14What are your policies on special needs and accommodations, and how do you support diverse learners?
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What are your policies on special needs and accommodations, and how do you support diverse learners?
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Why this works
Critical for understanding their inclusion approach and helps you learn about how they support children with different learning needs.
15What are your policies on field trips and outdoor activities, and how do you ensure safety?
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What are your policies on field trips and outdoor activities, and how do you ensure safety?
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Why this works
Important for understanding their approach to outdoor learning and helps you learn about how they handle off-site activities and safety.
16What are your policies on parent involvement and volunteering, and how can parents participate?
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What are your policies on parent involvement and volunteering, and how can parents participate?
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Why this works
Reveals their approach to parent engagement and helps you understand how you can be involved in your child's preschool experience.
17What are your policies on transitions and readiness, and how do you prepare children for kindergarten?
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What are your policies on transitions and readiness, and how do you prepare children for kindergarten?
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Why this works
Critical for understanding their approach to school readiness and helps you learn about how they prepare children for the next educational step.
18What are your policies on diversity and inclusion, and how do you celebrate different cultures?
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What are your policies on diversity and inclusion, and how do you celebrate different cultures?
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Why this works
Important for understanding their commitment to diversity and helps you learn about how they create an inclusive environment for all children.
19What are your policies on technology and screen time, and how do you balance digital and hands-on learning?
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What are your policies on technology and screen time, and how do you balance digital and hands-on learning?
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Why this works
Reveals their approach to technology and helps you understand how they balance digital learning with traditional hands-on activities.
20What are the most important things to know about your preschool, and what should parents consider when choosing?
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What are the most important things to know about your preschool, and what should parents consider when choosing?
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Why this works
Essential for understanding their guidance and helps you learn about their advice for selecting a preschool and what factors to consider.
How to Choose a Preschool: Essential Questions and Strategies
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Research the Program
Research the preschool's educational philosophy and approach. Look for programs that align with your values and your child's needs.
Evaluate Teacher Quality
Assess the qualifications and experience of the teachers. Look for educators who are trained in early childhood development and have relevant experience.
Consider the Environment
Evaluate the physical environment and resources. Look for clean, safe, and stimulating spaces that support learning and development.
Assess Communication
Look for programs that provide strong communication with parents. You want to stay informed about your child's progress and activities.
Question Sequences
The Program Quality Sequence
The Safety and Care Sequence
Common Pitfalls
Don't Ignore Safety
Avoid choosing preschools without adequate safety measures. Look for programs with strong safety protocols and secure environments.
Avoid Ignoring Teacher Quality
Don't overlook the importance of qualified teachers. Look for educators with proper training and experience in early childhood development.
Don't Ignore Communication
Avoid preschools that don't provide adequate communication. Look for programs that keep parents informed and involved.
Avoid Ignoring Your Child's Needs
Don't choose a preschool that doesn't meet your child's specific needs. Consider your child's personality, learning style, and developmental stage.