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Preschool - Points to Ponder when Considering Preschool in Albuquerque - by Amylee Udell

For some of you, it seems like just yesterday you were constantly nursing. Now your "baby" is conquering the playground! Or maybe you've considered returning to work (full or part-time), after a few baby-focused years. Or perhaps you’ve noticed that your youngster loves chasing after other kids or leading them, thriving in social opportunities. Whatever the situation, you've been thinking about preschool options. Albuquerque has a variety of options for you!

First, let's discuss childcare versus preschool and the blurry line between the two. Generally, a preschool is geared toward ages three to five and daycare is all ages, often with before and after school programs for school-aged children. Preschool is often a half-day, while childcare is available to accommodate typical work hours. Here's where the line blurs: a day care may have offer preschool programs during its day and a preschool may have hours beyond its preschool program, transitioning to a day care. Finally, many preschools have teachers with college degrees or teaching licenses in each classroom and more demanding continuing education requirements for teachers and assistants.

Before we move on, it is very important to ask some obvious questions. Does your child NEED preschool? In general, no. Preschool is not NECESSARY for any social or academic development at this early age. And if your child is shy or anxious in groups, more time to securely attach to mom or dad at home may be more beneficial. Some kids adjust easily and love the environment: sand, paint, music! Others cry for typical reasons: unfamiliarity, separation, overstimulation (sand, paint, music!). Other behavioral and developmental issues obviously involve more thought if therapies provided by preschools can help.

Do YOU need preschool? Maybe. Some parents need some toddler-free time to recharge. Others return to work during their child's preschool hours. I found myself pregnant with an out-of-town husband and appreciated the ease that preschool provided me for errands, appointments and rest times. So, in short, be clear about your reasons for preschool to help you decide which option is best for your family.

What ARE those options? This is by no means a comprehensive list.
*Public school preschools. Some public elementary schools have preschool partner programs. See if yours does and how it works. Often these pre-schools are low-cost or free to qualifying families. Go to www.aps.edu for further information.
*Church or synagogue sponsored pre-schools and daycares. In line with your beliefs, you may find this an easy choice. And even if you do not follow the particular religion or philosophy, there are many well-respected preschools affiliated with local churches or synagogues. Most accept those of other faiths. Many parents appreciate the cultural exposure this offers, as I did with B'nai Israel's preschool. Two other examples are Congregational Preschool and Our Lady of Fatima.
*Preschool Co-op. Co-ops require more parental involvement. Parents volunteer a certain number of hours or days in the classroom, allowing them more time with their child on preschool days and more influence on the preschool environment.
Email the Albuquerque Preschool Co-op for more information on this popular option.
*Family Co-op. Perhaps your playgroup can graduate to a preschool co-op.
Rotating from house to house, your child can stay with familiar friends and teachers. You all share the time and expenses of hosting crafts, snacks and a few ABC lessons. Those expenses are much less than tuition and you still get a few free hours per week. The biggest disadvantage is that your house WILL get messy!
*In-Home Daycare. Daycare and/or Preschool at home - just not yours. Even among home centers, formality varies. Some accept more kids and are overseen by the state in areas such as staff numbers, food served, paperwork required, handbooks and regulations. Some are very small and not required to register as a center. Both can be a warm, intimate place for your child and many people enjoy a family atmosphere. Remember, though, that when the provider family suffers an emergency or the flu, it affects you.
*Private Preschool. This is what most of us think of when considering preschool:
a free-standing facility that operates solely as a preschool with classrooms divided by age. They follow state guidelines, as well as those of their accrediting organization, if any. They sometimes subscribe to a particular educational philosophy and may have a parent board. Some preschools can be franchised, offering similar environments and curricula at different locations, both nationally and locally. An example includes La Petite Academy.
*Therapeutic Childcares. Seeking to offer support and services to disabled children and/or at-risk children and families, therapeutic childcare centers try to integrate children of different backgrounds in a comprehensive preschool program with a low student-teacher ration. Many provide on-site therapies and screenings, as well as classes and support for parents. A local example is Michael's Place.
*Preschool at Home/Homeschooling. Many families choose to just stay home during this time of childhood. Playdates, signing, cooking together, running in the sprinkler, big wheels and trips to the library will satisfy all the academic, physical and social needs of a preschooler. Staying at home also fosters sibling relationships and gives you precious time with your precious ones before they become eager for separate adventures. One way to broaden this experience is to find a parent of a similar-aged child in your neighborhood, and trade childcare/playdates once or twice a week. Albuquerque has several co-ops to help you start your adventure, as well.

A few other points to ponder as you look to make this decision:
*Teaching Philosophy - Any institution, including your own home, can subscribe to a particular philosophy (and often does, whether or not it is advertised or part of their name). If Waldorf or Montessori programs really resonate with your family, your choices are easily narrowed. Two examples include Montessori and Waldorf preschools. Montessori schools follow the educational practices and teaching tools outlined by Maria Montessori. For more information on Montessori principles, visit this page. Local Montessori preschools include Springstone Montessoris, Sandia Montessori School and Escuela del Sol. Waldorf education follow the principles Rudolf Steiner and anthroposophy, aiming to emphasize imagination and creativity, even in analytical thinking, in order to develop whole individuals. Read more here and if interested, contact the local waldorf schools to ask about their affiliated preschool co-ops and programs. These include Tierra Madre and Mountain Mahogany.
*Food - Most places will accommodate special food needs. Many request you contribute to snack supplies or preparation. Religious preschools may follow dietary guidelines. As some of these add to your financial and time commitment, be sure to know up front.
*Program Time - 2.5 hours, 3, more? What can your child handle? What do your needs require?
*Location - In addition to time, how far is it from you? Is a half hour commute for a 2.5 hour program too much? Is it located on the way to work or typical errands and appointments? How much will gas add to the cost? Some people find that participating in their neighborhood preschool builds a community that will follow your child through elementary and beyond.
*Accreditation - Accreditation is a voluntary process by which educational institutions meet standards established by an accrediting body to provide excellence in programming by meeting such standards. Is this important to you?
Would you feel more confidence in a program that is accredited?
*Additional features - Does the curriculum include another language? Would your signing toddler do better in a program that uses sign language? Are art or dance programs important?
*Cost - A factor for all of us. Your family has its own financial situation to consider in an informal cost-benefit analysis. These costs and benefits are not just financial for some.
Remember to include the price of gas!
*Availability - Some centers have a waiting list and you'll want to register as soon as you know which place is the best match for you. Many places start filling up in the winter before a fall start date. Home centers may have a rolling admission policy, but popular ones, though small, will still have a waiting list. So if you think you know where you would like to enroll, act!
*The Gut - In both deciding IF preschool is right and WHICH preschool is right, your intuition about your child and the institution has the final say-so. All preschools welcome visitors and have tours and even open houses. They all understand the importance of choosing where your child spends even a few hours and often many hours away from you. You need to feel good about both decisions.

Most in-home daycares and preschools welcome children and parents for a trial day or two, or even a week to get a sense of the children and adults in the community. Take this opportunity to observe, but realize that your child will behave differently with you present than they will when you go. Speak to other parents who use the program. Ask the school or director for references if you don’t know any of the other parents.

Finally, this decision is not irreversible. You can start later, change preschools, or return home at any time if you or your child is not happy! So use these tips and ideas to make the best decision you can.

Other Helpful Related Sites and Information

• more information on how to choose the best childcare/preschool provider for your family at Chilcare 101 at ChildCareAware.com.
• NM State Dept of Health immunization exemption form - anyone not following the recommended schedule will need this to enroll
• New Mexico Kids Child Care Resource and Referral-Program Checklist
• SHARE your experiences with or ASK questions about local preschools on our forum!

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