How many preschools did you tour?

[serendipity]

And what things did you look for when picking a program?

I need to start looking into programs for DS1 who will be turning 3 this summer. Hoping to put him in a 2 day a week program for a few hours next fall.

[Deleted]

We only toured 3 but we were looking for a preschool/daycare and had narrowed it down based on lots of comments and recommendations. I found asking around saved us a lot of unnecessary touring and made it easier overall to focus our efforts on the good places.

[mamaalysson]

I just scheduled one for DS (3 in March). For DD, we really just toured the one we already knew we wanted to send her to. We had friends there, I liked what the program purported to be, and it was highly recommended. In the end, that school was not a good fit for us, and maybe by looking at a few more, we might have figured that out sooner? I don't really know. We were first timers.

For DS, I have a better idea of what is important to me in a preschool program, and I have two that I want to look at. Probably no more than that. I want a program that is play based, follows a curriculum, perhaps teaching to changing themes, but allows kids to explore at their own pace, welcomes (but does not require) parental involvement, disciplines with natural consequences and focuses on the positive behaviors. That describes most preschool programs around here. This time around, location, schedule, and the general look and feel of the space is more important to me than it was last time.

[penguingrrl]

For my older daughter, we toured 5 or 6, applied to 3, were accepted to two and chose one.

For my younger daughter, we toured 3 or 4 and chose the first one we saw because we were in love with it. Our son goes there now and we didn't even consider looking elsewhere for him.

[abs]

We toured one, lol. Friends went there and when we toured it immediately felt like home. It's been a great school and I'm going to cry buckets when she finishes pre-k in May.

[Deleted]

We toured one. It's close to home, in the school DS will go to for kindergarten and we all liked it right away. My options are limited though, because I live in a semi-rural area. I'm glad it has worked out well for DS so far.

[cabbagecabbage]

I toured 3. I knew that the one we picked was in the lead going in (best location, cheapest, and good reputation) and I liked it, so it was easy.

[gastro]

We toured 3. Play based and a huge outdoor space - with chicken and duck coop and outdoor forts - sold me on the school we picked.

[lala]

I only toured one b/c it was our church preschool and I knew enough about it to be excited about sending my kids there. If we didn't have connection, I probably would have looked at 2-3.

[Kcthepouchh8r]

3

[quesyrah]

I toured 4. Any school that has a curriculum or academic plan got crossed off my list.

I wanted a play based school

[nicolewi]

I looked online first, and then toured three. One was a combo highly regarded large daycare/preschool, one was a church preschool, and one was a non-denominational co-op preschool. I was working FT at the time but we had a nanny.

Ruled out the daycare one b/c I didn't like that different kids came different days and stayed different lengths of time. They were super flexible, and some kids stayed all day, some part of the day, and the "curriculum" was done in the morning. I felt like it was still more of a daycare-type feeling than a cohesive preschool class. Plus, we had TONS of issues with DD1 being sick in daycare all the time (really, it was bad), which was a big factor in switching to a nanny, and I didn't like the idea of going back into the big germ pit when we didn't have to. Especially b/c while I toured there was a boy there coughing like mad and looking feverish whose Grandma was dropping him off. I was side-eyeing that BIG TIME.

The church one was really cute (and very close to our old house) but also very small, and not my denomination or church. Not that that mattered hugely, but it seemed a little random to me to send the kids there.

The one we chose, the co-op, has been GREAT. I LOVE it there and will be sad when my kids all graduate (assuming the teachers all stay). We still go there even though it's a little far from our new house. It felt like a little school to me and I liked the community feeling. It's a co-op that doesn't require parents to volunteer anymore, but most still do. I really love being able to help in the classroom (rotating basis) and to go on field trips with the kids. It's really special. The teachers are great, especially the 3K teacher. I really connected with her b/c she is close to my age and had a very professional career before taking time off and then starting to teach preschool. AT the time I was working but interested in someday leaving my job. I like that they have a good mix of work and play and of structure/free play. They do wonderful seasonal themes and they make it really fun for the kids. I.e. last week one day they read stories about winter and had their own "cocoa cafe," where they got to measure and mix their own cocoa and then take it to the 'cafe" in another area to drink it. They have an outdoor play area. They are kind and firm and discipline hasn't really been an issue. It's a long-standing local school with low teacher turnover and many families who send all their kids there over time. The people have been great and I feel like my kids are very well prepared for kindergarten while still having lots of fun.

PS It's 2 mornings/week for 3K and 3 mornings/week for 4K. That was pretty typical of the programs I looked at and was just right for us. Not all school districts here have 4K yet.

[serendipity]

Thanks guys! I did ask around on my local FB group and there are about 4 we will probably check out. I really need to get on this!

[jnksmom]

For DS we toured 2. Yhe one we chose was closest to our house, was play based but did learning activities(mostly child directed) as well. I also liked that they had a huge gym so he still got gross motor play even if they could not have outdoor recess.
With DD, we only toured 1 and it ended up working out fine. We moved the summer before she started pre-k and our options of places with openings were limited. Otherwise she would have gone to the same one DS went to.

[honeydew1894]

Our DS goes to the one at his daycare, but we are switching him to a new daycare this month. Both are centers, but the new one is smaller and seem inky better run. For both places, we went on recs from friends and then liked what we saw on the tour.

[lovebeingmama]

3. I looked for a play-based school. Part of the reason we chose the school was because of the community feeling we got from it. Also, the teachers had a lot of experience and all or most had degrees in early childhood education.

[cjcouple]

3 - I think. Tat was 7 yrs ago...lol
Anyway: class size, curriculum and schedule. They were all the same.

[court26]

I looked at 3 with each. We don't have to apply around here. With DS my focus was keeping him safe with his food allergies. With DD, it was keeping her safe as she is a runner with no fear....so I ruled out ones without fencing around playground, etc. Good luck!

[dizzycooks]

I'm planning on applying to 2, both have their perks. I'll probably choose the one at our church if I get the choice.