PICKING A PRESCHOOL

Garrett Vangennip, 3, left, and Jourdan Renner, 4, play at the "water table", a toy that teaches children fundamentals about measurement and mechanics[ask Tamara about this], as well as the art of sharing.

Choosing the right preschool can be one of the toughest decisions parents will face. They want to give their children the best opportunities for development, and many parents will deliberate long and hard before deciding which program their child will attend.

Parents must then monitor their child to determine whether the program is providing their child what he or she needs to succeed as a student.

"A preschool differs from a daycare mainly because it's not just about baby-sitting," said Nikki Crosnoe, a teacher at Trinity Lutheran Early Childhood Learning Center.

Crosnoe said parents like preschools that have colorful, cheerful environments. Some parents will look for structured classroom setting while others prefer open-air classrooms in a large, community-like setting.

However, parents probably should avoid preschools that resemble rigid grade school environments or that don't provide play time for children.

"Even though I love to keep the children, I suggest they go to preschools once they turn 3 so they can have more structured learning time," said Herice McClinton, owner of Precious Times Daycare. "But these are still little kids, and I don't think they can be expected to sit at a desk all day."

In addition to being cheery, preschools should be kid-friendly. Look for programs that provide scissors, paper, writing utensils, painting smocks, non-toxic art supplies and other materials made for preschoolers. Water fountains, chairs, tables, toilets and sinks should also be designed with young children in mind.

Type of curriculum is another consideration when choosing a preschool program. Some preschools follow a prewritten curriculum, while others develop their own curriculum that can be equally effective. But Farrow said children also pick up valuable social skills through free play.

"It's a learning process. Besides, kids need free time, too," she said.

Many preschools also offer additional learning opportunities for children. During the summer that could mean swimming lessons during school to help busy parents who might not have the time to transport students to and from a private program. Several programs locally also offer a weekly in-school gymnastics program provided by Cathy Twenhapfel, owner of the Tumbletown bus.

"I think parents just want their children to have all kinds of different experiences," said Crosnoe. "This is just an addition to things done in the center. It gives them something else to look forward to."

Safety is a concern that touches on more than just locked doors and windows. Parents visiting preschools should look for fencing around play areas and conveniently-posted directions for emergency situations. Teacher-to-student ratios should be low enough to ensure ample attention for every child.

Even small things can have important consequences. For example, are teachers watching for loose clothing or stray shoestrings that might get caught and cause a child injury?

"Little things like that can be very important to a parent trying to choose between two preschools," said Cindy Farrow, director of Trinity Lutheran's center.

Even naps can be important. Kindergartners are typically given a special rest time in mid-morning or early afternoon, and a good preschool will allow students at least an hour of rest each day.

Parents typically are most concerned about such issues as safety, learning opportunities, social development and cost. Questions will vary with the individual child, but overall, parents want a place where their child will learn and is cared for, Farrow said.

"Parents want a place where their child feels special and where they know somebody cares about their child. That's the most important thing," Farrow said.