Your guide to San Diego private school education
Evaluating Preschools
Choosing a preschool is an important decision in your child's educational career.
How do you evaluate preschools and gauge the quality of the programs? A good place to start is by searching for schools that meet standards set forth by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Look for programs that follow these four guidelines.
- Preschools should focus on children.
- What type of opportunities does the school provide for children to interact with other children and adults so that they can build healthy relationships?
- How does the curriculum include a variety of activities that are developmentally appropriate the children’s ages and needs?
- Preschools should have qualified staff.
- What degrees and training do the faculty and staff have?
- How long have the teachers and staff been with the program?
- What is the child-to-teacher ratio for each class or age group?
- Preschools should build relationships with families.
- How are information and concerns communicated between staff and families?
- What are the school’s policies for families visiting their child during the school day?
- Preschools should be well-run.
- Is the program licensed by the state?
- Is the program accredited – for example, by NAEYC?
- How does the school ensure that the facilities are age-appropriate and maintained?
- What are their policies and practices to help keep children safe from preventable illness and injury?
