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When you make the decision to send a child to preschool, there are many different things to look for and some will depend on your circumstances. We all want the best for our children and we want the preschool experience to be a success for our children. The attitude they have when attending preschool can have an effect on how they view school later.

Decide what your needs are. You might be looking for a preschool to give your child some social skills and teach them basics such as colors, shapes, and letters. You might be looking for a place to take your child while you go back to school during the morning hours. Or you might be working and need full-time daycare.

When shopping for a preschool, keep in mind the things that are most important to you. First impressions might not be the best when you are walking into a center full of children – chaos might be reining. Meet with the director and find out what their preschool program involves. Take a tour of the school and meet the teachers. Look at the classrooms – notice the bulletin boards and the mood of the children. You can also arrange a time to meet specifically with the teacher.

After your visit, write down your impressions and what you liked and did not like. Write down any follow up questions you might have. When you have visited all the preschools on your list, decide which one you prefer. Take your child back for another visit and ask to go into the classroom with him. See how your child reacts. Watch how the teacher addresses your child when they meet them and how the other children respond. If the atmosphere seems friendly and fun, this is probably a good choice.

Preschool can be very difficult for young children. They don’t have a concept of time, so it is hard for them to understand that they will be at the preschool for a portion of the day and then you will pick them up again. Kids can have a difficult time letting their mom or dad leave.

Everyone has seen scenes where a child is clinging to their parent, tears coursing down their face, and the parent is reluctant to leave, glancing around for some help. This is not only hard for the child, but also for the parent. I think we have all seen or faced this experience.

Situations like these can be less stressful if you follow a few simple ideas. If you are starting out at a new preschool, visit before the first day and take a tour of the school. Tell your child how they get to be big now and go to school. Show them where their things will belong. Find out what they will be doing on their first day. Most schools have a schedule with themes and activities mapped out. You can talk about how they get to paint today, or they are learning about clowns. Get your child excited about what they will be doing.

When the day arrives to take them to school, don’t make a big deal about saying goodbye. Help them hang up their things and take them to their teacher. Give them a quick kiss or hug and say goodbye. Then turn around and leave. This is the hardest part - walking away. Dragging out the goodbyes only makes it more emotional for your child. If you don’t act like you will be missing them throughout the day, they won’t act that way either.