7 Things to Look For in a Preschool

As you decide which preschool will be most effective at helping your child reach full potential, here are a few things you might not have considered. 

1.  Happiness Is...
A good sign as to the pulse of an organization is the spirit of the people in it.  If the school is poorly run, chaotic, and undisciplined, spirits will sink by the end of the day and signs of frustration will be evident to observant parents. Look for a school that has fun, knows how to play hard, and generates a lot of smiles.

2.  Face Time...
Part of growing individually is spending time with each child individually.  A good program will work in large groups, small groups, and give individual attention to each child.  Teacher to student ratios are clearly a major factor.

3.  Given The Chance...
Children can't bridge the gap of understanding if they aren't given opportunities.  Even if a child struggles with reading at a young age, are they given the opportunity to excel? Beginning to associate letters, numbers, and lessons with meaningful daily activities is a critical step in preparing for school. 

4.  Hit The Books...
Kids learn by observing.  A key opportunity to observe a wide range of situations is reading time.  Look for a preschool that prioritizes daily times when teachers read imaginative stories to the students. 

5.  Soak Up Some Sun...
Put those sunglasses on...children at this age shouldn't be sitting in lectures all day.  They need that Vitamin D!  Regular exercise and fresh air will keep these young minds enthusiastic during learning times.

6.  Check The Curriculum...
It's an easy mistake to assume that all preschools teach the same things.  The truth is far from equality, so don't leave it to chance.  Find out the curriculum and do a little research of your own online to find out the philosophies behind the books.

7.  A Good Name...
...is better than great riches.  And it's harder to earn, especially in a day of e-pinions, Facebookers, and text-while-you-think addicts.  So don't make a decision based entirely on price, whether high or low--spend some time getting quality referrals and experiences.  And make sure the preshool you choose isn't leaving behind a wake of hurting bloggers that you just haven't heard about...yet.