| Tiny Town Pre-School 99 Demarest Road Sparta, NJ 07871 Phone: 973-579-9999 Fax: 973-579-7272 |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Finding a quality early childhood program can be confusing. Although limiting your search to state-
licensed programs is a great start, unfortunately, you can't count on licensed programs to be good
enough for your child. In many states licensing requirements are very minimal and may even
exempt some programs.
So how do you find an excellent program for your child? It's usually best to first call (or email) the
programs you are interested. Here are some basic questions you should ask the Director of the
programs:
you feel meet the needs of you and your child. Next, you want to schedule a time to visit the early
childhood program. It is important to schedule your visit during regular business hours. It is
important to observe what happens between staff and children for yourself. Plan on staying for
about an hour so you can really get a sense of what goes on. While you are there, here are a few
things to keep in mind:
Once you have visited the early childhood programs of interest and the above questions have been
answered, you should have narrowed your choices even more. To help finalize your decision, you
may want to call your State's Licensing Office. You are entitled to inquire if the facilities you are
interested are in compliance with the licensing requirements, and if the facility has ever been in
violation of these requirements. In New Jersey, the number to call is 1-877-667-9845.
licensed programs is a great start, unfortunately, you can't count on licensed programs to be good
enough for your child. In many states licensing requirements are very minimal and may even
exempt some programs.
So how do you find an excellent program for your child? It's usually best to first call (or email) the
programs you are interested. Here are some basic questions you should ask the Director of the
programs:
- Where is the program located?
- What are the hours of operation?
- What is the age range of the children in the program?
- Is the program licensed by the State?
- Is the program NAEYC accredited?
- How are children of different ages and needs grouped?
- How many children are in each group?
- How many adults work with each group?
- What are the qualifications of the teachers and the Director?
- What is the cost of the programs available?
you feel meet the needs of you and your child. Next, you want to schedule a time to visit the early
childhood program. It is important to schedule your visit during regular business hours. It is
important to observe what happens between staff and children for yourself. Plan on staying for
about an hour so you can really get a sense of what goes on. While you are there, here are a few
things to keep in mind:
- Do a head count! The number of children and teachers is important. This number will help
determine how much attention your child will get. For a preschool facility, there should be
at least one adult for every nine or ten preschoolers. - It is also important to think about the total size of the group your child would be in. Young
children thrive in a more intimate setting, which will allow them the opportunity to get to
know their teachers and classmates. A good rule of thumb is a group size approximately
twice the recommended number of children per teacher. For example, in a preschool
setting, the recommended number of children per teacher is nine or ten. Therefore, a group
size of eighteen to twenty children with two teachers is reasonable. - How were you greeted? It is important for you and your child to feel welcome.
- Do the children look happy? Do they play and talk together?
- Are the adults interacting with the children? Do they talk with the children rather than at
the children? - Do the teachers extend children's thinking and learning through questions and comments?
- Do the children have opportunities to make choices throughout the day by keeping books,
blocks, puzzles, dramatic play equipment, and other materials available where the children
can get to them easily? - Do the teachers read to the children?
- Are sand, water, art supplies, and other open-ended materials available to the children on a
regular basis? - Do the children spend little or no time watching television or videos?
- Are the children under adult supervision at all times?
- Does the facility look clean and well-cared for?
- Is there an outdoor play area? What type of surface material is used? How often do they
children have access to the outdoor play area? - Are snacks and/or meals provided?
- Are the teachers well-trained and dedicated?
- Are the teacher involved in professional development on an ongoing basis?
- Is there a low staff turnover rate? (This is usually sign that the program values good staff
and works to keep them.) - How does the staff communicate with families?
Once you have visited the early childhood programs of interest and the above questions have been
answered, you should have narrowed your choices even more. To help finalize your decision, you
may want to call your State's Licensing Office. You are entitled to inquire if the facilities you are
interested are in compliance with the licensing requirements, and if the facility has ever been in
violation of these requirements. In New Jersey, the number to call is 1-877-667-9845.