KEYS TO FINDING A GOOD PRESCHOOL PROGRAM
University Park, Pa. -- Parents should do their homework before selecting a pre-school for their son or daughter to attend.
That’s the advice of Linda Duerr, director of the Child Development Laboratory in Penn State’s College of Health and Human Development.
"The major difference between a high-quality preschool and a high-quality child care setting is really just one thing—time," says Duerr.
Typically a preschool program, Duerr notes, offers a shorter day program --usually two or three hours--and is often the choice of families who have one parent at home and therefore only require a short day program.
"All of the elements of a good early childhood curriculum should be present in any setting serving young children, be it all day or partial day," says Duerr.
Parents should give thought to what they want for their child and visit, review materials from programs carefully prior to making a decision. When the family walks into a program they should feel comfortable and attracted to the environment, should trust the teacher and be aware of the guiding philosophy of the program
"Make sure the teachers have experience and education in early childhood education and development," says Duerr. "Teachers with that type of education and experience are more apt to provide the rich and stimulating environment appropriate for preschool children. The curriculum should not be ‘watered down’ Kindergarten."
Parents should check that the preschool offers a developmentally appropriate curriculum that focuses on all areas of the developing child--social-emotional, cognitive, and motor.
"The curriculum should be play-based and provide for a balance of child initiated creative play with more structured activities. The environment should be child friendly and accessible to the child, with appropriate materials to support growth and learning in all areas," says Duerr.
Parents should expect a preschool facility to at least be licensed by the state it is operating in and preschool programs can also achieve accreditation, says Duerr. In addition, a preschool program may have a Department of Education license or be a Montessori Certified Program About any and all certificates is great.
Duerr recommends obtaining a list of licensed programs for young children from your local licensing agency. Check with your community resources to see if there is a referral agency in your area, too.
"Visit the programs that fit your needs to get a feel for the setting. Ask yourself if this is a place where you’d feel comfortable leaving your child and if it is a place where your child will feel secure and stimulated," says Duerr.
**Steve Infanti is the External Relations Coordinator for Penn State’s College of Health and Human Development.