It may be the holiday season, but for parents with preschoolers it’s also time to start thinking about back-to-school.

In fact, moms and dads should begin their search just a few weeks after the New Year, advises Dana Friedman, Ed.D., executive director of the Early Years Institute in Plainview. “It’s best to look for care starting in January so you have time to visit programs and see what would be best for your children. The better programs fill up quickly because so many children return the next year and they get word-of-mouth publicity.”
           
For many parents the decision to send their child to preschool is often an obvious one. After all, the benefits gained from attending a quality program are numerous and widely recognized.

“Effective preschool programs capitalize on a time when children’s brains are rapidly developing, laying a foundation of social skills, knowledge and self-confidence that paves the way for success in kindergarten and beyond,” explains Friedman, whose organization works with numerous organizations across the Island to improve the early childhood experience.  She notes that skills such as following a routine, getting along with others, learning how to wait, to take turns and to listen, are coupled with learning opportunities that are interwoven into a high-quality curriculum.

“When children listen to poetry, songs and books, they’re learning phonics and reading skills; and the play with water, sand and containers involves matching and sequencing that help develop basic math concepts,” Friedman explains.

But finding a quality preschool program that meets your family’s needs can be a bit of a challenge as Melanie Mata, a mom of three from East Northport, found out when she was searching for the right school for her three-year-old daughter. “These are the most critical ages for children, so a mother often has many variables to consider before enrolling her child into a specific preschool,” she says. 

If you’re uncertain how to begin your own search, read on for expert advice on selecting a top-notch school.   
The Basics – Preschool 101
It’s helpful to note that the word preschool encompasses many types of learning environments.  “Pre-K (which is run through the schools) is different from child care centers and Head Start programs and family child care homes and nursery schools,” explains Friedman.  “They all take care of children, but their hours and the requirements for staff, as well as the ancillary services they provide, are different.”  
Yet the selection criteria parents should use when considering a prospective school remains the same regardless of the type of care your family chooses. The first step to finding the right program is to determine your family’s most basic requirements, which often include location, cost and hours.  Decide how far you’re willing to travel, and establish a rough budget to help narrow down your choices.  Also, consider the hours that you need care for your child.  If you’re a family with two working parents you may need to seek out schools that offer longer hours and/or before and after care.  
           
Once you’ve laid out the basics, the best place to start is with the Child Care Council of Nassau or Suffolk counties (www.childcarenassau.org; www.childcaresuffolk.org), where you can speak with a parent counselor. 
“When a parent calls the Council, we search for a child care program based on the information that the parent has given us in order to meet their needs,” explains Audrey Rudolph, director of resource and referral for the Child Care Council of Suffolk.  “We supply parents with checklists of things to ask and look for when they interview, as well as child-care regulations.” (These checklists are also available on their web site.)

Next Step – Visit the School  
Once you’re armed with a list of prospects, you’ll need to schedule a tour to decide which school is right for your child.  “Families should be welcome to visit the school and observe first-hand the interaction between teaching staff and the children,” says Donna Preminger, executive director of the Port Washington Children’s Center.   “Classrooms should be designed with the age of the child in mind: learning centers clearly defined with appropriate toys and books, with environmental print at child’s eye-level evident throughout the classroom.” She adds that outdoor play should be part of every day.
           
It can also be helpful to bring your child along for the initial visit.  “My main concern was how well the teacher interacted with my child,” explained Mata who brought her daughter to tour the school.  “I noticed that the teacher got down to Natalia’s level to talk to her and found ways to make her feel comfortable, like showing her the various toys and the cubbies.” It was this teacher-child interaction that prompted Mata to register her daughter at that school. 
During your visit be sure to inquire about the school’s philosophy and teaching methods to ensure that they’re in-line with your expectations. Other important considerations include staff qualifications and longevity, licensing and accreditation and health and safety issues.  (See sidebar for a full list of things to look for and questions to ask).

Easing the First-Day Jitters
Once you’ve selected the right school for your child, there are several things you can do to help prepare him for his new venture.  Simple activities such as reading with him daily and arranging play dates with other children are invaluable experiences. 
“Encourage your child to use their words to express themselves and help them to recognize their own feelings and the feelings of others,” suggests Preminger.  She also advises that parents teach their child self-help skills (such as dressing, pouring milk into a cup and cleaning up after a mess is made) as a means of ensuring preschool readiness.
“To prepare for the actual first day, visit the library and read a book about the first day of school,” says Preminger.  “Pick out what your child will wear together, and send a photo of your family with your child to school.” 

But most importantly, you can ensure a successful preschool experience by vowing to be an active partner in your child’s learning.  “Early childhood programs can’t be successful if the family and center don’t work together,” says Preminger. “Family engagement is key in the early years.”
Maureen Heaney has successfully made it through the preschool years with her daughter and is looking forward to doing it all over again with her son next year.

PARENT CHECKLIST
Here’s what local experts advise about what to look for when visiting a prospective preschool.