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 |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| 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 ____ |
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____________________________________________________________________ |
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
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