I have setup a few preschool tours for possibly enrolling my 2 yr old. I've read several articles that are both pro & con bringing your child along during the tour. Not bringing him will allow me to focus on what is happening at the school. But bringing him will allow me to see his reaction to the school. I was just looking for some advice from other Mom's as to your experience or your thoughts on this. Thanks in advance!
Thank you so much for all of the responses!! It's so nice to hear the opinions & experiences of other Moms! I ended up having a difficult time finding a babysitter for my children, so they both (10 mos & almost 2 yr old) had to come along. The schools that my husband was able to tour with me were a lot easier. I could focus on the director while he focused on the kids.
We've toured a few schools now & today I think we found our match! I am compiling a list of questions & I am going to call the director later in the week to talk since I am unable to find a babysitter.
It was nice to see that my son was so excited about being at all of the schools. He didn't want to leave every place we visited. We do have 2 more tours to do next week & the following week, but today was the first school that I actually got excited about! Their philosophies on teaching and discipline fall in line with what I'm looking for for my child. YEAH!!
Thanks again!!
I think you should bring him with you. And then if he does like it then when he starts his first day of preschool and the days leading up to it, you can remind him of that place. That way you can get him excited about going. Best of luck with the preschool. I hope to start my son in a preschool program within the next couple of months.
schedule 2 appointments. It's important that you see whats going on, you may not notice certain things if you are busy chasing your 2 yo. Also, what happens if you don't like something and your child really likes the place?
You should go. Your son will like any environment you choose for him, but you may or may not want to deal with, "why can't I go to this school? No I want this one . . . " He's 2 and though he has an opinion (don't they all? :o)) you are ultimately his provider and protector and I'm sure you will make the right decision. He will love whatever you choose! :o)
When my first son was 3 I was in the same boat...I brought him along with me and in the end it was the right choice. I couldn't decide between 2 preschools, and looking back, was making a much bigger deal out of the decision than I needed to. Anyway, when I was at my wits end with which one I should choose, I turned to him and asked him. He said he wanted to go to the one where he got to paint a picture of the seashell. So that is the one we choose. My middle boy is at that preschool now, and my third will be going there next year!! Though it seems like a huge decision now, as long as you know your son will be safe and well cared for, I'm sure he will thrive whichever preschool you choose.
I have been setting up child development centers and a mom of 2 awaiting the 3rd, I suggest going on the initial appointments alone to feel out the school, teachers, set-up, etc. Then when you weed them out, do a follow up with your little one! This is a big decision, don't rush it with only one visit!
Hi E.,
I've recently done both tours (with and without my 3yr old son). I think that doing it without him at first is best then you can return with him and you can join in the knowledge and excitement of the place (along with whomever is giving the tour). I was able to get alot more out of it and patiently ask any questions that I needed without having my son tugging at me for attention. Also this can avoid him getting excited about a place that your then (for whatever reason) decide not to enroll him in. Not that he will necessarily remember it two hours later but this is what I decided worked best for me. Hope this help and good luck in your search.
I would say for the first tour to go by yourself so that you have enough time to ask all of the right questions. Most preschools allow for a visit with the child to see how they respond to the setting and other children. I have taken my children to tour and it's alot harder to ask questions, you get so distracted , expecially when they see the other children!
When I toured my son's preschool, I brought him along with me. I am very glad I did that because I was able to see how he would like it. At that age, you can tell if they like it or not. They let him explore the rooms & even participate a little. He loved seeing all the bigger kids & all the toys.
If you take your child with you but feel that you did not get all the important information you needed about the school, you could always call or email the director on your own time.
So, overall, I'd recommend bringing your child with you.
Why dont you do two tours? You could do the first with your son just to scope out the place and see if he likes it and then if you are really interested, schedule a time to go back and ask more questions without your son by your side :) This is what I did. I found that you can pretty much tell when you first walk in whether or not youre going to like it based on first impressions, look of staff, cleanliness.. etc. It will eliminate akwardness if your son is there on the first visit because you can use him as an excuse to get the heck out of there!! GOod luck!
I am a mom of 3 boys and a preschool teacher that teaches 2 and a half yr olds. The school in which I teach allows parents to tour with the kids and then allows the children to play or participate in what the class that they will be going in to is doing to allow the parent(s) to ask any and all questions and to explore the rest of the classes. We have a very open door policy that helps in this type of touring. It also helps for the parents to see their child involved with the other children that they may be going to school with.
Hello Mrs. E.,
My name is E. and I own a pre-school www.LittleRocketeers.com I always encourage moms to bring their children so that the child can spend time with the other children in the classroom while the parents and I discuss our program in the office. If you have not found a pre-school please call me and I would be happy to provide a tour.
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