Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Preschool Transition

So it's August and in many parts of the country, parents and kids alike are gearing up for school. But sometimes when our little ones leave our homes for the first time or make that transition from childcare to preschool, we as parents get a little more anxious than our kids!

Having helped so many families go through this transition and having done it myself with my own 2 kids, I thought I'd create a little FAQ for parents looking into preschool options. 

My goal with this post is to get you started with a few things to think about, and hopefully it will sprak new questions in your mind about preschool and your child as well! :)

The transition into the  preschool setting can be a difficult situation for everyone involved, but often parents find themselves with so many questions that they don’t even know where to start. It is with this reason in mind, that these questions were complied for you, the parent, to have a starting point to begin gathering information regarding your child’s upcoming preschool experience. Please feel free to use these questions as a spring- board to your own questions and desired information regarding your child’s upcoming preschool program:

1.      How many days & hours a week is the preschool program available?

2.      What is the cost breakdown for your program? 

(ie. enrollment, monthly/weekly fee)

3.      What is your sick &/or cancellation policy?

4.      Is food provided? What types of food and what schedule? 

(ask to see a sample menu)

5.      What are the differences in the classroom schedules for the morning 

      and afternoon classes (if applicable)?

6.      What is the student to teacher ratio?

7.      Are there start and end dates of the school year, vacation schedules?

8.      Are there transportation options?

9.      What curriculum does the class follow?

10.  How will I be updated on what my child does while at preschool?

11.  Will there be any extra curricular options available on site? 

(ie. gymnastics, dance, language, sports)

12.  Does my child have to be potty trained or in the process of potty training to enroll/begin classes?

Here are some specific questions you may want to add if you are looking at transitioning into a special education public preschool program offered for FREE in every school district in the U.S. (these services fall under the I.D.E.A. Part B services):

1.     How many hours of therapy a week will my child receive in the classroom? Will those hours be one on one or in an entire classroom setting? 

2.      How is the “home school” determined? What school is my home school? (for public school district programs)

                                  Preschools can include some great art  projects!

My son at his very first preschool class!

              Both kids were really excited for his first day of Pre-K!