Choosing the right private preschool for your child is a journey filled with anticipation, curiosity, and yes–a fair share of questions. As your guiding light, Miss Bloomingdale's Academy, with our decades of experience and commitment to early childhood education, understands the importance of getting your questions answered.
We will arm you with questions that delve into the heart of what makes a preschool truly exceptional. Our goal? To instill confidence in your decision-making, and ensure that your child's first step in schooling is as joyful and enriching as it should be.
Understanding the Basics: Directors and Teachers
The heart and soul of any preschool are the ones who interact with your child on a daily basis. As such, you'll, of course, want to ensure they have relevant education as well as a solid understanding of early childhood development.
Do they hold degrees in early childhood education? What kind of ongoing professional development opportunities do they have? How long have they been working with children, especially children of the same age as your child?
Their answers not only speak to their competency but also their commitment to staying abreast of the latest research and techniques. Experience can also be a great teacher, equipping them with a deeper understanding of children's needs and behaviors.
Here are some to include in your private school preschool interview questions:
What qualifications do your teachers have?
How long have the teachers been with your school?
What is your philosophy on early childhood education?
How do you handle behavioral issues?
Digging Deeper: Curriculum and Teaching Methods
These can provide you with a 'window' into the type of learning environment your kid will be immersed in. Therefore, it's very important to understand these aspects to make sure they align with your expectations as well as your little one's learning style.
Is it based on a particular educational philosophy such as Montessori, Reggio Emilia, or Waldorf?
Do they use a thematic approach where subjects are integrated around themes, or do they teach subjects separately? Do they offer experiential learning opportunities?
You can ask them about the specific curriculum they follow or even inquire about their teaching methods. Or perhaps they have developed their own unique curriculum.
Practical Matters: Schedule, Tuition, and Class Size
While the educational aspects are undoubtedly important, these practical matters can also impact your family's daily life and budget.
When it comes to tuition, transparency is key, so ask for a detailed breakdown of all the costs, like additional fees for materials, field trips, or special programs. You might as well inquire if there are payment plans available, too.
Also, do they offer half-day preschool, full-day preschool, or both? What about early drop-off or late pick-up options? Knowing this can help you determine if your choice of private preschool in Irving, TX, fits well with your family's routine.
Don't forget to ask about the class size, too. Note that smaller classes often mean more personalized attention for your child, but they may also come with a higher price tag. While larger ones offer more opportunities for social interaction.
Assessment and Discipline Policies
These can help you gauge whether their overall approach aligns with all your expectations and whether it will meet your child's unique needs. These can also tell you a lot about their values and as well as their approach to teaching.
Here are a few to guide your understanding:
How often are assessments carried out?
What do you focus on–academic skills, social-emotional development? Or both?
Are the results shared with us, parents, and, if so, how?
What steps do you take if my child acts out? Do you use time-outs, redirection, or loss of privileges?
How do you handle conflicts between kids?
Parental Involvement and Communication
The backbone of a successful partnership between a preschool and a family–which not only strengthens the connection between home and school–but also allows you to actively participate in your young one's educational journey.
You can ask them:
Can parents volunteer in the classroom or during special events?
Is there a PTA?
Do you provide regular updates about what's happening in the classroom?
How do you communicate about my kid's progress, any behavioral issues, or any incidents at school?
Remember that regular, open communication can foster trust and ensure you're well-informed about your child's preschool experience.
As such, we here at Miss Bloomingdale's Academy believe that every one of your questions matters. We've been answering parents' questions like yours and nurturing young minds for years, and we'd love to do the same for you and your little one!
So, why not pop in for a visit? Once you see our private pre-kindergarten in action, we're confident you'll understand why so many parents feel at peace knowing their children are part of our community. Please call us at 972-869-9145 to arrange a tour.