Preschool: How I chose Boo's

First of all, sorry if this post looks like crap - the program is being lame and won't save my spacing on some browers...WTF?

Being a stay at home mom, I decided pretty early on that I would most likely have Boo start at an at home preschool. I thought being at a home over a large "scary" center would be an easier transition for him. However, I didn't really like the idea of the "school" being someones living room.

Since Boo was born I have been on the lookout for an awesome preschool. I went to a local preschool fair before he was two. I met tons of teachers in one place and was quickly able to knock several "options" off the list after just a few minutes talking with some of the teachers (you feel that way? scratch. cold hearted bitch? scratch.).
 

But I left the place even more confused when I got there. How could there possibly be over 30 preschools within 20 miles of my house in such a suburban area? WTF?

So I toured one or two and just kept my eyes and ears open. At one point I started asking every parent who toted a child who looked about preschool age where they sent their child for preschool. Most were very casual in sharing their preschools.

Then one day I asked a victim at Bouncetown. Her eyes lit up as she gushed about a local preschool where her daughter was going. She gave me all the info and demanded I at least go check it out. Why hadn't I heard of her/the school? Well, she doesn't need to advertise because she fills up solely on referrals!

I checked out their website and had an hour long conversation with the director/teacher that night (oh yes, I am that mom).

The school was an entirely separate addition to her home (omg! a home preschool not in someones living room...love!). The director was the head teacher with one assistant who had been with her for several years (not too into the director not actually being the teacher like at the larger schools...makes me think of them like a used car salesman). Her focus was on play and socialization with just enough educational aspects to be prepared for kindergarten (no specific title like montessori or reggio ). Basically, MY WET DREAM!

The catch? There was already a long waiting list even though Boo wasn't two yet (she only takes 12 three year olds on tue/thur and 12 four year old onm/w/f)! BUT, she said many were siblings from students who didn't get in prior years. CRAP! Ok, so I put both kids on the waiting lists for their years and well, waited.

I checked out a few other preschools and found a great second option. However, I didn't think I was going to send him at three to this one...just wait until he was four and then start him as it is a larger center.

FINALLY Boo got in! I took Boo to tour the place and my second choice, the larger center. He told me how he liked "the big house school better" so we signed him up and haven't looked back. We are all super excited for him to start in August. And yes, Bubbi got in for her year.

 

Preschool: How to choose one

There are tons of preschool philosophies and options available today. Three common philosophies today are Montessori, Waldorf and Reggio (all are named after the theorist who founded them).

Montessori is self-paced education with the teachers as guides, they prepare the environment and observe based on the assumption that the child is auto-educated (think self driven). It focuses on providing materials that foster children's self-directed learning and ample time for children to explore the center. It is a fairly structured preschool setting.

Waldorf focuses on creative/imaginative play with lots of teamwork and togetherness. It strives to provide a home-like environment and teaches based on the idea that young children learn through imitation and example. Things you will see in a Waldorf classroom are items made from natural products, like a wooden kitchen, and a classic Waldorf doll made from wool and cotton.

The Reggio approach focuses on a cooperative education team involving the student and their own interests, other students and their collaboration in large and small groups, the parents and their role of providing community and the teachers as co-learners. Teaching focuses on confusion as contributing to learning; mistakes are allowed and projects are started with no clear ending. This is a very open-ended approach to teaching that follows the students direction and interests. The Reggio classroom with be clean, free of clutter and very organized. Toys will be paint, yarn and clay...no "tacky" plastic toys here. This classroom setting is less structured than many, while remaining well kept.

Well, that's a whole lot of information. And honestly, you cannot get a good feel for any of the philosophies I've listed above without further research.

My best advice to you short of re-doing your college thesis on each method would be to visit several preschools in your area, regardless of their method. How do you feel when you walk in the doors? Do you like the teacher(s)? What do other parents say about local preschools?

Take your child with you. Boo picked out his preschool. He liked one, but LOVED the "big house school"...I liked them both (I only took him to my top two choices), but went with Boo's intuition as he's the one who will be there several hours a week!

When choosing a preschool it all comes down to your gut, parents.