Finding the Best of What Tucson Preschools Have to Offer
I wouldn’t blame you at all for wondering why in the world this website is called Preschool Tucson , when it isn’t part of any one preschool in Tucson. The fact is, I have to imagine you are most likely looking for information on Tucson area preschools to consider for your child. I commend you for your decision to do a bit of research and for not simply finding the nearest one to your house, or one that is most convenient to your daily commute to work. After all, you are looking at where your child is going to be getting exposed to their first bit of real education… this is not a decision to take too lightly!
And make no mistake; your child is in for some education if you select the proper school. Preschool is not day-care. Or at least, the two should not be considered interchangeable.
There are no doubt plenty of quality day care centers around Tucson that offer many different activities, crafts and general personal development for young children. However, when your child is ready for pre-school, it means they are truly embarking on their lifelong journey of structured education. This is the time to begin instilling a love of learning, and the best chance for that happening is by having your child spend time with highly qualified, certified teachers in early childhood education.
There are a few things to you might want to keep in mind when looking at preschools in Tucson who do have certified teachers.
For me, one of the things that was important (and I will go out on a limb here saying something that may be considered politically incorrect), was that the teachers be fairly young. Or, at the very least, that there be some younger assistants around at all times.
Why?
Because only preschool age kids have the ability to run down even the Everready Bunny on a daily basis!
I know the kind of energy it takes to keep up with one or two of these toddlers… trying to manage 20 to 30 of them at a time is something that absolutely blows my mind! And there is zero doubt in my mind that despite all good grandmotherly intentions, it takes someone with a lot of energy (as well as patience) to manage to keep up with these kids while remaining focused on the job at hand; of delivering a solid lesson plan built in to their preschool curriculum. If any of those areas fall short… your child will not be getting the best possible opportunity in which to learn and grow.
In fact, thinking about what it takes to find a quality Tucson preschool made me remember an old story from long ago that is just as applicable today as it ever was. While I’m sure many people have read it before, I strongly believe it is worth re-posting it here, for those who have not (or for those who may have forgotten it). I hope it strikes a chord in you, as it did in me.
Father Forgets:
Listen, son: I am saying this as you lie asleep, one little paw crumpled under your cheek and the blond curls stickily wet on your damp forehead. I have stolen into your room alone. Just a few minutes ago, as I sat reading my paper in the library, a stifling wave of remorse swept over me. Guiltily I came to your bedside.
There are the things I was thinking, son: I had been cross to you. I scolded you as you were dressing for school because you gave your face merely a dab with a towel. I took you to task for not cleaning your shoes. I called out angrily when you threw some of your things on the floor.
At breakfast I found fault, too. You spilled things. You gulped down your food. You put your elbows on the table. You spread butter too thick on your bread. And as you started off to play and I made for my train, you turned and waved a hand and called, ‘Goodbye, Daddy!’ and I frowned, and said in reply, ‘Hold your shoulders back!’
Then it began all over again in the late afternoon. As I came up the road I spied you, down on your knees, playing marbles. There were holes in your stockings. I humiliated you before your boyfriends by marching you ahead of me to the house. Stockings were expensive – and if you had to buy them you would be more careful! Imagine that, son, from a father!
Do you remember, later, when I was reading in the library, how you came in timidly, with a sort of hurt look in your eyes? When I glanced up over my paper, impatient at the interruption, you hesitated at the door. ‘What is it you want?’ I snapped.You said nothing, but ran across in one tempestuous plunge, and threw your arms around my neck and kissed me, and your small arms tightened with an affection that God had set blooming in your heart and which even neglect could not wither. And then you were gone, pattering up the stairs.
Well, son, it was shortly afterwards that my paper slipped from my hands and a terrible sickening fear came over me. What has habit been doing to me? The habit of finding fault, of reprimanding – this was my reward to you for being a boy. It was not that I did not love you; it was that I expected too much of youth. I was measuring you by the yardstick of my own years.
And there was so much that was good and fine and true in your character. The little heart of you was as big as the dawn itself over the wide hills. This was shown by your spontaneous impulse to rush in and kiss me good night. Nothing else matters tonight, son. I have come to your bedside in the darkness, and I have knelt there, ashamed!
It is a feeble atonement; I know you would not understand these things if I told them to you during your waking hours. But tomorrow I will be a real daddy! I will chum with you, and suffer when you suffer, and laugh when you laugh. I will bite my tongue when impatient words come. I will keep saying as if it were a ritual: ‘He is nothing but a boy – a little boy!’
I am afraid I have visualized you as a man. Yet as I see you now, son, crumpled and weary in your cot, I see that you are still a baby. Yesterday you were in your mother’s arms, your head on her shoulder. I have asked too much, too much.
- W. Livingston Larned
Which Type of Preschool is Best for You?: Straight to Kindergarten
Q. What if we decide not to send our child to preschool at all, and keep her at home until she’s 5? Will she be at a huge disadvantage when she attends kindergarten?
A. Surprise — early-childhood experts say that preschool isn’t absolutely necessary, and any disadvantage your daughter encounters would probably be short-lived. For instance, she’d probably need help in adjusting to daily school routines; she might also need more time than others to get used to being in a group and taking turns with materials. “But even without preschool, many children can master the fundamentals of kindergarten life in a short period of time,” Katz says, as long as they’re supported by teachers and parents. Of course, this assumes that during the preschool years you read and play with your child every day, that she plays regularly with other children, and that she occasionally spends time away from you with a sitter or relative. Play dates at other kids’ houses would also be helpful.
Still, although your child won’t suffer if she doesn’t go, there are definite benefits to attending preschool. A child gains important social and emotional skills, says Wendy Masi, PhD, dean of the Mailman Segal Institute at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale. She’ll learn to feel safe and comfortable away from home. She’ll learn to be part of a group, to take turns and follow routines, and to make friends and work out conflicts. A good preschool will also encourage your child to pursue her own interests, whether it’s writing her name or learning more about the natural world. By the time your child starts kindergarten, she’ll have all those skills under her belt.
Which Type of Preschool is Best for You?: Academic Preschools
Q. In our town, there are two popular preschools. One is more academic than the other. If I send my daughter to the academic one, will she have an edge when she’s older?
A. Earlier isn’t necessarily better when it comes to academics. That’s because mastering phonics or learning to subtract at age 3 or 4 doesn’t translate into later school success, says Lilian Katz, PhD, professor emerita of early childhood education at the University of Illinois. In fact, “too much early experience in work sheets, drills, or flash cards may backfire later,” she says.
Researchers think that gaining social competence — learning how to cooperate, solve problems, and think about other people — is what really makes a difference later on. Playing and working together on projects with other kids is the best way to build these crucial social skills. Any “academic” learning in the classroom should be integrated into the daily routine (“let’s count four crackers for a snack”) or have some personal connection (“there are five ‘J’ names in our class”). Adds Strasser: “Parents should be worrying about whether their kids are doing enough creative play at preschool, not whether they’re doing daily work sheets.”
Which Type of Tucson Preschool is Best for You?: Home Daycare vs. Preschool
Q. My 3-year-old goes to a home daycare in Tucson while we work, and she’s happy there. But I keep wondering whether we should enroll her in a school or a larger center to give her more of a preschool experience.
A. It really depends on the program, says Amy Flynn, director of the Family Center at Bank Street College of Education in New York City. “If your child has a loving provider who’s committed to doing age-appropriate activities with the kids, that’s probably fine.” It’s helpful if the program has other preschool-age children there for your daughter to practice taking turns and sharing with. The home should also have the same kinds of simple materials — blocks, costumes, art supplies — you’d see in a preschool classroom.
But as you suspect, sending your daughter to a preschool or daycare center will give her some experience with being part of a larger group, which in turn will help her prepare for kindergarten. As a compromise, if it’s practical, you might consider sending your child to a Tucson preschool program in the mornings, then back to her home daycare in the afternoons.
Choosing A Tucson Preschool Curriculum
There are several major preschool curricula on offer. With a growth in demand for high quality education, even at a young age, preschool programs are evolving to offer comprehensive teaching standards that stem from research or academic research. This guide will provide you with a few preschool curriculum choices:
International Preschool Curriculum (IPC)
According to Wikipedia, The International Preschool Curriculum is devised by early childhood academics with early childhood curricula drafting experience. It is further peer reviewed and updated quarterly to reinforce a rigorous and outcome based standard of early learning. There is an advisory committee of professionals that together produce a curriculum that is rapidly being introduced by schools around the world. Based in the USA, the IPC is a world leader in bringing early childhood experts together to produce one of the most outstanding programs on offer.
Montessori
As a an inquiry based learning system that offers students the freedom to dictate the style, pace and theme of learning. According to reviews of the Montessori method, schools are often criticized for not identifying learning difficulties or causing confusion amongst students. The Montessori has nonetheless been praised by thousands of parents worldwide and as a belief with no one official organization, the Montessori method is open to countless interpretations and representations.
Home Based Curricula
There are various home based organizations with varying levels of experience and professionalism. Some programs are designed by early childhood experts while others are prepared on Word documents by stay at home parents. Choosing the right home based curriculum may be difficult, but several recommended programs include those owned and operated by reputable organizations or those with drafters who are experienced or more importantly, qualified.
Faith Based Programs
If you are eager for your child to experience a faith based education from a young age, there are numerous Christian, Hebrew and other major religious educational materials on offer. Faith based preschools often adopt or customize their own curriculum and the level of faith based instruction varies. Some faith based organizations offer the International Preschool Curriculum or Montessori and adapt it to suit their needs.
Other Programs To Consider
Other professional curricula on offer include Horizons, Mother Goose, Scholastic, International Baccalaureate (PYP), The School Reediness Program and The Waldorf Approach. The HighScope program is also popular with early childhood centers.
Questions To Ask Providers
When considering a preschool curriculum, its necessary to ask as many pertinent questions before placing an order. You will want to ensure that the program is well researched and thoroughly reviewed by qualified individuals. If you operate a center, remember that parents will want to know what curriculum is being introduced so ask for a parents information pack. Most providers will be happy to share free samples and this is also a good way to ensure that you make the right decision.
Which Type of Tucson Preschool is Best for You?
Q. Will my 2-year-old get anything out of a toddler program? When I observed one class, the toddlers didn’t seem to be interacting much.
A. Actually, that’s just what you should see, because toddlers mostly engage in solo or parallel play, says Janis Strasser, PhD, associate professor of early childhood education at William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey. “Even though children may not be playing with other children, they are watching, listening, and modeling what they see and hear. We call this ‘scaffolding.’ For instance, a child may watch another child rock a baby doll in the dramatic play area, and the next day that child may pick up a doll and try pretend play herself.” So there’s more going on than what you may see on the surface.
Expect to see some kids playing by themselves, or wandering around the classroom, finding things that interest them. Toddlers should also have lots of opportunities to engage their senses, with water, sand, Play-Doh, and paint. And you should see the teacher interacting with the kids, but look for more lap time — one teacher reading to two or three kids — and less circle time. Each child should also get some one-on-one attention from a teacher, so look for a low teacher-child ratio (1 to 5 is good).
Preschool Prep: Questions and Answers About Choosing a Preschool
It’s no secret that attending preschool will prepare your child to succeed in kindergarten. But according to research, kids who attend a quality program also have higher reading and math scores a few years later and they even tend to make more money as adults. While it may seem early to begin thinking about preschool now, most parents start researching and planning a year or more in advance. Jenifer Wana, author of How to Choose the Best Preschool for Your Child, answers parents’ most common pre-K queries.
What Makes a Good Preschool Teacher
Find out about the teachers’ training and credentials. Ideally, head teachers should have a minimum of an associate’s degree and formal training in early-childhood education. “Research shows that teachers with college degrees and specialized early-childhood training have more positive interactions with children, provide richer language experiences, and are less detached,” says Dr. Barnett. Also, consider teacher-child ratios. According to NAEYC standards, there should be at least one teacher for every eight to ten 4- and 5-year-olds, and one adult for every six 2- and 3-year-olds. Low child-teacher ratios are very important, since they allow teachers to give ample attention to everyone, notes Dr. McCartney. Talk to the teachers about how they work with the kids. “Look for teachers who recognize the particular needs of different children, and who know how to adapt a curriculum for those who are ahead as well as for those who need additional help,” she says.
Visit a class while it’s going on. A good teacher talks with children, asking a lot of questions and patiently answering theirs. She makes kids feel welcome and fosters their self-confidence. Talk with the teacher about a typical day, and ways in which she’ll keep you informed about your child’s progress. If she’s responsive to your questions and you’re happy with her answers and her classroom style, you’ve found a good fit.
Visit Checklist
When you meet with the school’s director, ask about the following.
- Does my child need to be toilet-trained? Many preschools require that a child be out of diapers.
- How are parents involved in the school? A good sign is an active parent association that plans programs like family picnics, holiday parties, and parent socials. You might want to talk to other parents — the preschool should give you names.
- How will the teacher let me know about my child’s progress? Parents should be kept informed with newsletters, e-mails, and regular parent-teacher conferences.
- What do you do when two children are fighting? It’s crucial that you agree with the school’s discipline policy.
- What’s the daily routine? You want your child to have a sense of predictability each day — circle time, snack, reading.
What Should I Look For During a Visit?
The classroom should have a variety of activity areas — a reading place, an art station with materials on shelves that kids can reach, a block corner, a puzzle area, and a place for naps. Children should not all be doing the same thing at the same time; they should be playing with toys or other kids but still well supervised.
Finally, do you feel comfortable? “You want to be confident that once you drop off your child, he’ll be happy and well taken care of,” says Mark Ginsberg, PhD, NAEYC executive director.
How Do I Choose the Right Preschool?
The gold standard of approval is accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. NAEYC carefully evaluates schools and childcare centers based on curriculum, teacher qualifications, class size, and health and safety standards; only about 8 percent of U.S. preschools are currently accredited. (Search for NAEYC-accredited preschools near you at rightchoiceforkids.org.) In addition, many preschools now have Web sites that you should visit.
Call each school you’re considering and ask about its fees, admission policy, and curriculum. Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, schedule visits. Most preschools run open houses during the winter. Also, meet with the director and spend time in a classroom to observe the teachers. Visit each school with your child and see how she responds to the classroom, the teachers, and the activities.