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How can parent determine which pre-K suits a child?

Experts warn parents to take a close look at the available schools.

By JEFFREY S. SOLOCHEK
Published June 6, 2005

	What to look for when choosing a preschool
	Do the school's learning goals match what you want for your child? 2. Do the activities change regularly so children have a chance to learn new skills? 3. Are parents allowed to drop in unannounced? 4. How does the school discipline children? 5. How will the school let you know how your child is doing? 6. What are the educational qualifications of the teachers and assistants? 7. What does the teacher think children should know to be ready for kindergarten? 8. What curriculum does the school use? 9. Is the school accredited? By what organization? 10. What is a usual day like? Sources: Early Childhood Association of Florida, Pre-K Now

When Florida's new prekindergarten program begins in August, Annette Brandt would like to send her son to a private preschool close to her New Port Richey home.

After talking to other parents, Brandt thinks she has found the place for her son's first school experience. Now she is waiting to see if the school will be part of the program.

"They're really not providing who is participating," she said. "So it's kind of like you're scrambling around trying to figure out who is and who isn't."

As families consider where to enroll their children for pre-K, experts are cautioning parents not to leap before they take a close look at the available schools. Demand appears to be outstripping supply, but finding a slot should not override finding a place you feel comfortable sending your child, said Roy Miller, president of the Tallahassee-based Florida Children's Campaign.

"A lot of people think if you're licensed, that means it's high quality," said Suzanne Gellens, executive director of the Tampa-based Early Childhood Association of Florida. "But that's just minimal."

Every expert recommends visiting a school before committing to it.

"I would never register my child somewhere I have never seen," said Janet Chapman, executive director of the Pinellas County Early Learning Coalition. "I would definitely visit and talk to the person that is running the program."

Once there, parents should know what questions to ask.

One of the most important is whether they can drop in unannounced, said Steve Barnett, director of the National Institute for Early Education Research at Rutgers University.

"The best way to find out if this is a good place for your kid is to come watch your kid," Barnett said.

If teachers or administrators are unfriendly, or do not welcome unplanned visits, walk away, he said.

Parents also should assess the atmosphere, to make sure it is warm and inviting, Gellens said. One key is to see if children play independently or if the teacher uses play to guide learning: There's a big difference between a teacher who participates, Gellens said, and one who just makes sure students are quiet and well behaved.

Another way to tell if a school supports real learning is to look at the art on the wall, Barnett said.

"If you look around a classroom and see children's work and it all looks the same, that means it's not individualized," he said. "That shows whether a school lets each child find his own way."

If parents can't do an inspection, they should ask for names of other families they can talk to about the school, said Miller of the Florida Children's Campaign.

And there are other things to keep in mind.

You should ask about educational qualifications. Do the teachers and administrators have the background to help young children develop? Ask what curriculum the school uses, and whether it is appropriate for 4-year-olds. Look at the materials yourself.

If you're not sure what you see is right for your child, call a local early learning coalition or an early education teacher, Miller said.

Perhaps more important than the name of the curriculum, though, is the fact that a school has one that it follows.

"You want a place with a coherent philosophy," Barnett said.

You should also ask about accreditation, which often will serve as a screening tool. The most rigorous set of criteria comes from the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

"But you can't assume that just because they have accreditation that all the other things will follow," Barnett said.

Don't overlook practical matters, because every aspect of a school helps determine its quality. Chapman listed several items to review.

Know the hours of operation and whether they suit your schedule. Learn whether a school offers before- and after-school care. Get a copy of the school handbook to learn about its discipline, attendance and other policies.

Schools will not get funded if a child does not remain enrolled in pre-K's 540-hour program. So providers will try to make sure their school is a fit for each family. But remember, schools have the legal right to reject any student.

Several organizations, including the early learning coalitions and the Early Childhood Association of Florida, have published checklists that parents can follow when inspecting schools.

To participate in pre-K, a child must be a Florida resident and 4 years old on or before Sept. 1. Local early learning coalitions will determine each child's eligibility.

--Jeffrey S. Solochek can be reached at 813 269-5304 or solochek@sptimes.com

[Last modified June 6, 2005, 01:34:12]