Choosing the Perfect Preschool for Your Infant

Yikes, Is It Time to Go Back to Work Already?
Choosing the Perfect Preschool for Your Infant
By Blythe Lipman, Author, Help! My Baby Came Without Instructions



Finding the perfect preschool for your infant can be really scary. How can you possibly trust another person with your precious bundle? You will be looking for a school where the infant care is the best, the school the cleanest, and the teachers experienced, warm and fuzzy.

Does this really exist? And how will you know when you've found that perfect place? A place that makes you feel totally comfortable as you drop off your baby each morning. A school that will provide your baby with the love, nurturing and care she needs. That will be the perfect substitute when you can't be with her.

The following checklist should help make your decision a little easier. Print it out and take it with you. And don't be afraid to ask any question. Nothing is off limits when it concerns your baby.

Pre-School Interview Checklist
When you call for an appointment, does the director speak to you?	Yes ____	No ____
What is the director's policy for having you visit the school?	Yes ____	No ____
Does the director keep you waiting more than a few minutes when you arrive?	Yes ____	No ____
Does the director give you all the time you need to talk about the program and answer all your questions?	Yes ____	No ____
Does the director show you the school's Mission Statement?	Yes ____	No ____
Does the director give you a booklet containing information about the school?	Yes ____	No ____
Will the director supply you with references?	Yes ____	No ____
At first glance, does the preschool look clean?	Yes ____	No ____
Does it smell clean?	Yes ____	No ____
Is the preschool licensed by the state?	Yes ____	No ____
If no, why not? _________________________________________________________
Does the school do a background check before hiring a teacher?	Yes ____	No ____
What kind of experience do the teachers have? ________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________
The Infant Room
Is the infant room clean?	Yes ____	No ____
Are the electric outlets covered?	Yes ____	No ____
Do the cabinets have childproof locks on them?	Yes ____	No ____
Do you see any cleaning spray bottles sitting on the counters?	Yes ____	No ____
Do you see anything that would be dangerous lying around in a baby's reach?	Yes ____	No ____
Are the counters clean and uncluttered?	Yes ____	No ____
Are the diaper changing tables clean?	Yes ____	No ____
Are there gloves available for diaper changing?	Yes ____	No ____
Is there a crib for each baby?	Yes ____	No ____
Are the cribs in good condition? (Test to see that they are not wobbly or have any loose screws.)	Yes ____	No ____
Are there enough high chairs or a feeding table for mealtimes?	Yes ____	No ____
Are there enough swings, ExerSaucers, bouncy seats, teething toys, strollers, etc. available for the babies?	Yes ____	No ____
Is the above equipment in good condition?	Yes ____	No ____
Are the toys and equipment age appropriate?	Yes ____	No ____
Are the toys and equipment cleaned with bleach water each day?	Yes ____	No ____
Is there a bin to put dirty toys that get used during the day? (For dropped toys, or toys that other babies chew on.)	Yes ____	No ____
Is there happy music playing in the room or lullabies if it is naptime?	Yes ____	No ____
Is there a fire exit door with a sign posted above it?	Yes ____	No ____
Does the room look like a place that your baby could have fun, explore and blossom?	Yes ____	No ____
Do you have an overall good feeling about the room?	Yes ____	No ____
_____________________________________________________________________
Staff
Is there one child care provider for every four babies?	Yes ____	No ____
Do the same caregivers take care of the babies each day?	Yes ____	No ____
Do different teachers come in for the late shift (3:00-6:00pm)?	Yes ____	No ____
Do they have CPR and First Aid Certification?	Yes ____	No ____
Are the caregivers friendly and eager to tell you about themselves and the program?	Yes ____	No ____
Do the caregivers act in a professional manner?	Yes ____	No ____
Do the caregivers look clean and neat and are they dressed appropriately?	Yes ____	No ____
Are the caregivers warm and responsive to your baby when you visit?	Yes ____	No ____
Do the caregivers know what to do if a baby is choking?	Yes ____	No ____
Do the caregivers tell you about the daily activities?	Yes ____	No ____
Does the school do a background check before hiring a teacher?	Yes ____	No ____
Do the caregivers take the babies outside, play music, do tummy time, etc.?	Yes ____	No ____
Do the caregivers have specialists that come in for music, movement, etc.?	Yes ____	No ____
Do the caregivers send home daily reports?	Yes ____	No ____
Do the caregivers want to know your baby's schedule at home?	Yes ____	No ____
Do they want to know how you soothe your baby when she is irritable or crying?	Yes ____	No ____
What is their illness policy?	Yes ____	No ____
Are there conferences or just daily check-ins?	Yes ____	No ____
Are you allowed to talk directly with the teacher by phone or just the director if you need to call? ____________________________________________________________________
What are their rules for visiting your baby at school? ____________________________________________________________________
What is the policy for drop-off and pick-up? ____________________________________________________________________
If someone else needs to pick up your baby, do they need a special card, password, driver's license, etc.? ____________________________________________________________________
Do they use the same substitutes all the time? (So they know the babies and their schedules.) ____________________________________________________________________
Do you have an overall good feeling about the caregivers and the infant room?	Yes ____	No ____
____________________________________________________________________

Blythe's Final Thoughts:

If you like the preschool, drop in unannounced.

Before you make a decision, call with any questions.

If you get the cold shoulder or you feel like they are too busy and you are unimportant...
FIND ANOTHER PRESCHOOL

Once your child is enrolled, if you are told you can't visit anytime...
FIND ANOTHER PRESCHOOL

If the facility looks, smells or feels dirty...
FIND ANOTHER PRESCHOOL

If the caregivers are dressed inappropriately...
FIND ANOTHER PRESCHOOL

If the staff seems unhappy and not having fun...
FIND ANOTHER PRESCHOOL

Would you feel good leaving your baby at this preschool each day?
Yes___ No___

If you feel great about the preschool then sign the papers. But if something feels amiss, even if you can't figure out what it is, go with your intuition, it's usually right!

Above all, you want to be able to enjoy watching your baby blossom and grow in her new environment knowing you made the right decision.

Blythe Lipman is the president of Baby Instructions. She is passionate about babies, toddlers and their parents. After working in the field for over twenty-five years, she wrote her third award-winning book, Help! My Baby Came Without Instructions, which is available at www.babyinstructions.com. You can hear Blythe's weekly radio show on Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. EST at www.toginet.com. Blythe is available for in-home, video and telephone consultations. © Blythe Lipman 2011.