Applications

Of the many dilemmas that come with choosing a preschool, the question of schedules is one of the most vexing. You may know what kind of philosophy or community you prefer, and everyone has an ideal location in mind, but schedule? What is the optimal preschool schedule for a two-year-old, a three-year-old, a pre-kindergartner? And what is the ideal schedule for their parents? No one seems to agree on any of this. Read More »

Preschool tours offer wonderful opportunities to learn about prospective preschools. Often you can meet the director of the school, see classes in progress, and meet members of the parent community. But, as is the case with so many things in life, what you see may not be what you get. So, think of the tour as an opportunity to scratch below the surface -- to get a true feel of the school. You can best do that by coming prepared with questions that will help you determine whether the school is the type of environment that will be a good fit for you and your child. While not every parent has the same set of concerns, there are a few key issues that can help you distinguish among schools and, hopefully, identify the school that is right for your family. Here are some factors to consider: Read More »

Let’s start by acknowledging that in many places, the very idea of a “preschool application” is a foreign concept. You find out about a couple of good preschools nearby, give a call or drop by, get your child signed up, and there you have it. Doesn’t that sound great? Sadly, such a simple process could not be farther from the reality in many urban areas. In cities across the country, vast numbers of small children apply for too few spots at popular preschool programs. We all wish it were not so, but we must cope with the fact that the wonderful nursery school down the street may be flooded with more applications than its staff has time to read. What is a Savvy parent to do? Read More »