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Show • Pieschooh Continued from Pa$e 8 ^K^mm^^^^mmK^ curriculum, teacher/student ratio, quali- problems are solved," says Strachan. fications and tenure of instructors and Prior to making your final preadministrative staff, classroom safety school choice, consider involving your and cleanliness, availability of agechild in the process. It's helpful to appropriate learning materials and toys bring your child to the school for a and daily activities and special events. short, informal visit. Other factors such as discipline " We invite children and parents in procedures, potty training, and parent for tours of the school any school day involvement should also be addressed. after 1:00 p.m. This is an informal question and answer period for both "It's most important for parents to parent and child. From there we like learn as much as they can about the to invite the parent to spend an hour philosophy and structure of program or two observing classes without the and to make sure that it matches what child to give her a look at what her they want for their child," advises child will be learning. We also invite Perkins. the child to spend a "visitation" day in Strachan recommends calling class, especially if the child is older potential schools and asking questions than four years, to give the teacher a such as 'Describe a school day for my chance to assess the child's needs and child,' and 'How do you address the the child a chance to check out the social, emotional, psychological and school," explains Strachan. academic needs lor each developmental level of your students?' Park City Co-op also encourages Ask for parent references from parents and their child to visit togethprospective schools, and arrange a visit er. "We host an open house before regto observe the program and meet the istration geared to children," explains teaching staff. Perkins. "They can visit and observe "When you observe a class stay for their child engage in play with other at least an hour and through a transichildren while also exploring classtion period such as inside-to-outsideroom." time, insidc-to-lunch-Ume or lunchLime-to-outside- time. Notice what the children are doing, how they interact with the adults, the type of language that is being used and how To Look Fov The NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) suggests using the following guidelines to identify early care and education programs that will give your young children a great start toward success in school. Low child-to-teacher ratios - The number of adults and children is important because it helps determine how much individual attention your child will get. NAEYC recommends that there should be at least one adult for every • four infants • five younger toddlers {12 to 24 months) • six older toddlers (2 to 3 years) • ten 3- or 4-year-olds Well-trained staff - The professional qualifications and training of teachers and staff are crucial to a quality program. Ask about the degrees and certificates held by the director and teachers, and find out what steps they take to provide staff with ongoing training. Group size - In addition to low child-to-teacher ratios, the overall size of the program is important. Look for a program with fewer than six to eight infants in a group, 10 to 12 toddlers, and no more than 18 or 20 preschoolers. Low staff turnover - Teachers who have been in a program longer establish bonds with the children, and those relationships help children grow and learn. Low turnover is also usually a sign that the program values good staff and works to keep them. A safe and healthy environment - First, check that the program is licensed by the slate. Make sure the facility looks clean, and that all children are under adult supervision at all times. Staff should be able to describe clear health and safety procedures, as well as policies for handling emergencies. For more information visit www.naeyc.org. Are you p r e s e n t in your child's classroom? W h e t h e r or t i m e In it's Just to B a c k p o k i n g t i m e . !j UNITED NATIONS ^/FOUNDATION t o S c h o o l y o u r a r e c h i l d ' s . s c h o o l m a k e the a n d d i f f e r e n c e . a s c a t N i g h t , h e a d T h e r e y o u r a l w a y s AIDS HAS CREATED 14 MILLION ORPHANS WORLDWIDE. TO HELP, CALL 866-AIDS-FUND OR GO TO APATHYISLETHAL.ORG. AIDS IS PREVENTABLE. APATHY IS LETHAL. (Source: NAEYC) I n t o p l e n t y In w i t h D I 5 C0 VEn VISIT: s p e l l i n g of b e e c o n t e s t c l a s s r o o m w a y s e d u c a t i o n - C o m e o p e n a t h e a n d y o u r to Y o u r sit p a r t i c i p a t e p r e s e n c e d o w n , n a m e f r o m o n can t h e r e ' s It! HOW: CALL: 1.800.281.1313 w w w . r - 1 ' * PAKTNICKS h'tnt P U B L I C EIMJCATION org SUCCESS IN I SCHOOLj ; SUCCESS IN i, LIFE Park City Parent Winter/Spring 2005 23 |