i don't know the specific schools around here, but i used to be a preschool teacher and could talk to your friend about the process of choosing one and how to find one that they will like.
Tell him to run around screaming, bury his head in the sands and then pick something randomly from the phone book. This is currently the approach I'm planning on taking because, GAH! schools in Georgia suck.
Or, follow the advice from naomikritzer which seems much more reasonable.
1. Come up with a list of preschools near enough to drive to without losing your mind. This can be kind of difficult, as lots of preschools don't have websites. In addition to Google, check your phone book and ask the other parents in your neighborhood about preschools they've used or heard of.
2. Make a list of phone numbers, call up, and ask some basic questions, like what ages are accepted, whether kids must be potty trained (if that's an issue), how much tuition is, what hours kids should be there, etc.
3. For the preschools that aren't ruled out because they're $20K/year or have waiting lists so long you'd have had to put your child on before you actually got pregnant, arrange a visit. Usually you visit without the kid in tow, and get a tour or observe. Then pick a place you like.
More specific advice:
* NAEYC Accreditation is a good thing, though not absolutely mandatory, and the NAEYC website has a search function to find accredited programs in your area.
* Play is the work of childhood. When you're talking with them on the phone, ask about their educational component; if they mention worksheets, that's a bad thing. When you visit, watch to see what kinds of play the kids are engaged in. If they're doing rote tasks (cookie cutter art projects, worksheets, coloring pages) this is not as good as if they're playing.
* Don't underestimate the importance of distance. Neighborhood friends (and a neighborhood support network!) are a wonderful thing.
Also, while worksheets are in general a bad thing, they're not the end of the world, either. If you really like a place but once a day everyone gets a letter-of-the-day worksheet and they're encouraged to trace a letter and color it in, I'm not saying you should run screaming. (Kiera attended a preschool like this last year. The teacher is nurturing, it's three blocks from my house, it's inexpensive, and they spend most of their time playing, including lots of outside time.)
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no subject
Date: 2007-08-29 02:20 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-29 12:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-29 05:47 pm (UTC)Or, follow the advice from
no subject
Date: 2007-08-29 02:28 am (UTC)1. Come up with a list of preschools near enough to drive to without losing your mind. This can be kind of difficult, as lots of preschools don't have websites. In addition to Google, check your phone book and ask the other parents in your neighborhood about preschools they've used or heard of.
2. Make a list of phone numbers, call up, and ask some basic questions, like what ages are accepted, whether kids must be potty trained (if that's an issue), how much tuition is, what hours kids should be there, etc.
3. For the preschools that aren't ruled out because they're $20K/year or have waiting lists so long you'd have had to put your child on before you actually got pregnant, arrange a visit. Usually you visit without the kid in tow, and get a tour or observe. Then pick a place you like.
More specific advice:
* NAEYC Accreditation is a good thing, though not absolutely mandatory, and the NAEYC website has a search function to find accredited programs in your area.
* Play is the work of childhood. When you're talking with them on the phone, ask about their educational component; if they mention worksheets, that's a bad thing. When you visit, watch to see what kinds of play the kids are engaged in. If they're doing rote tasks (cookie cutter art projects, worksheets, coloring pages) this is not as good as if they're playing.
* Don't underestimate the importance of distance. Neighborhood friends (and a neighborhood support network!) are a wonderful thing.
* Don't break the bank.
* Trust your gut.
no subject
Date: 2007-08-29 02:31 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-29 12:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-29 03:08 am (UTC)?
Date: 2007-08-29 12:10 pm (UTC)