Book on "How to Pick a PreSchool?"

Some schools are highly structured, ie: rigid. and focus on kids being a certain way.
Some school are the opposite... and allow a child to be a child and learn through play and interactive creative methods.

The Teachers, will usually reflect the philosophy of a school... otherwise they wouldn't work there.

So, you need to know YOUR child and what type of approach, your child would thrive in.
AND how the Teachers handle the children. AND the Director's method of managing the school.

Regardless, you must always do a tour of the school, WITH your child, see how your child reacts to the atmosphere. AND ask the Director/teachers any questions you have. How they treat you/your child will offer you a glimmer of how they "are."

Not all schools with high ratings, will suit a child. I toured a LOT of preschools in my area, WITH my Daughter... and went by my gut feeling as well AND per my Daughter's reaction. I did NOT prompt my Daughter to act or behave a certain way at these tours, I just told her to be herself. I wanted to see the school through HER eyes and what vibes she got. THAT is what was important to me. We chose a Preschool and it was a very happy and good school... which my Daughter loved. She learned a lot all around.

You go according to your child... and what will fit her.
My daughter, started Preschool at about 3.75 years old.
She was happy there and thrived.
That is important...

All the best,
Susan

Wow! That's a tough one. I have often wondered that myself about private schools (elementary and up). So far, I have not found any books on it and my 1000's of google searches bring up nothing. My advice on choosing a preschool would be to write down things about your daughter....her personality, what type of environment would suit her, etc. Then write down things that you would like to see in a school....class size, turnover rates, teaching methods, etc. Also, make sure you know why you want her in preschool. Then, visit, visit, visit until you have found one that has what you are looking for and is the place you know your daughter will be the happiest. If you have any doubts about one, it is probably not the right one. Don't forget to ask about how they handle discipline...you would be surprised!

My daughter started preschool at 3. I heard a lot of great things about the school she is presently at and toured. Fell in love with it. The teachers never leave. Her teacher has been there for 9 years, another for 20. The playground is shady with big trees and lots of toys and climbing things that use imagination. All learning is play based. I mainly put my daughter in there to adjust to a school setting and to listen to an authority figure. She now has all the routines downpat. As an added bonus, she has been learning a lot. The teachers are extremely easy about everything, meaning if you aren't potty trained, that is okay because they will have them potty trained. They teach each kid at the level each child is currently at. Discipline is a short time out only when the situation gets out of hand. That has happened once during last semester. The school is clean, kids are clean, and all the kids are very polite....that was one of the biggest things that sold me on her school.

I know I got carried away, but I hope that some of it helped and gave you ideas of what to look for. Good luck!!!

I don't know of a book, but there is a helpful website that offers the schools in your area, the ratings and reviews and sends periodic information on how to choose one. Go to www.greatschools.com and see if that helps. PS: Choosing the right one has to do with your values, preference for academics and what you can afford.

It's really what you feel most comfortable with and where you believe your child will succeed. There is no "right" or "wrong". Do you want it more play-based or more strict? Reviews of current/past students? DCFS regulated or not? I have a 1001 questionnaire sheet that I used when deciding. I would be happy to send it to you.

I don't know of a book either, but I remember feeling the same way before making our preschool decision. The way I decided was this:
- Build a list of options: I spoke with family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and moms of kids my daughter's age we met at Gymboree Play & Music classes to see if they'd heard of good ones. Plus I put anything I'd driven by near our house on the list, too.
- Visit/Tour every one on the list: I was surprised how well this really worked. I got a sense right away if I would feel comfortable leaving my daughter at a place. It was very easy to cross many off the list! And some have open houses -- in fall or January, if I remember right. Then registration for many is in January.
- Narrow down to a top choice: Amongst my 2-3 favorites, I asked more detailed questions of the person who gave me the recommendation. And I weighed the cost/times offered, etc. But in reality, I had picked my favorite from the visits/tours.

Hope this helps! And good luck!!!