How to Choose the Best Preschool for Your Child: The Ultimate Guide to Finding, Getting Into, and Preparing for Nursery School
Even before the pressure of finding the right kindergarten for a child rears its ugly head, there is—for many parents—the ordeal of finding the right preschool. Looking back on the frustrations of the process of getting her own child into preschool, Wana offers a helpful guide for other parents. She begins with a brief historical perspective on the rising prevalence of preschools and research showing that a strong educational program in preschool can launch a child’s school career. Wana outlines the array of programs, from private to public, part-time to extended care, and discusses accreditation status and the philosophical differences between play-based Montessori schools, project-based Reggio Emilia schools, and faith-based religious schools. She also advises parents on how to set selection criteria based on the child’s personality and family needs and circumstances. Wana offers practical advice on everything from researching and finding a school to the application process to—assuming the process is successful—preparing the child for the first day. A solid resource for parents of preschoolers. --Vanessa Bush