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Consider Curriculum and Safety When Deciding on a Preschool: Child Care Licenses Show Staff Have Had Background Checks

Posted on: Wednesday, 15 March 2006, 12:00 CST

By Heather Woodward, The Olympian, Olympia, Wash.

Mar. 15--Preschools across South Sound are in the midst of enrolling children for the 2006-07 school year. And that means it's time for parents of new preschoolers to decide what type of program would be the best fit for their child and their family as a whole. "It's a very big decision," said Fran Williams, director and head teacher at A Child's Place Preschool in Tumwater. "As a child is first starting to leave them, they're so young. By 5, they're walking in the door on their own." Local educators recommend that parents visit the preschool, interview the teacher and schedule a time to observe a class in progress. On-site visits allow parents to get a taste of what their child's experience would actually be like. Safety checks It's also a good idea to ask the school for references and to talk with other parents who have children enrolled at the school, educators said. Parents can check how long the school has been operating and verify whether the preschool has a child care license. Such licenses aren't required for Washington preschools but would ensure that all employees and volunteers have gone through background checks. "It's just protection for parents out there," said Irene Compton, director, owner and teacher at Brentwood Preschool in Lacey. "There are enough scary things happening that you want to have those background checks done." Academics Parents must decide what type of academic program they think will fit their child's learning style and what they're hoping their child will gain from attending preschool. Some schools focus specifically on preparing children to enter kindergarten. Others work more on developing creativity, artistic talents and natural curiosity. And some are associated with a particular religion. The ideal approach will depend on the individual child and family, local preschool educators said. "They should see if it is something they think their child would thrive in," Compton said. Involvement, discipline Cooperative preschools require parents to make a time commitment to help out with operating the school, asking many parents to volunteer in the classroom and be responsible for specific jobs. If parents don't have that kind of time to spare, a cooperative preschool might not be the right fit. "It is a commitment of time and energy," said Amy Sistrunk, a parent of a 4-year-old at Eastside Cooperative Preschool in Olympia, who says that model has been a good match with her family. "This preschool kind of becomes a community," Sistrunk said. "That's one of the things a lot of parents are drawn to. There is a lot of support throughout from parents, teachers and board members." Parents also should ask about how teachers will handle discipline to make sure the school's philosophy mirrors their own. At a glance Below is a listing of some local preschools now enrolling children for the 2006-07 school year: -- A Child's Place Preschool, at 219 B St. in Tumwater, is enrolling students for fall 2006. A Child's Place Preschool has a program for 3- to 5-year-olds. For more information, call 360-705-2986.

-- Brentwood Preschool, 5019 25th Ave. S.E. in Lacey, is enrolling students for fall 2006 but is almost full. For more information, call 360-491-5223. -- Can Do Preschool, 5113 27th Ave. S.E. in Lacey, is enrolling students for fall 2006. The school is enrolling students ages 21/2 to kindergarten. For more information, call 360-790-5178. -- East Side Cooperative Preschool, 1412 Boulevard Road S.E. in Olympia, has an open house from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday to enroll new students for fall 2006. The school will be enrolling students ages 2 to 4. For more information, call 360-754-3938. -- Gloria Dei Lutheran Preschool, 1515 Harrison Ave. N.W. in Olympia, is enrolling students for fall 2006. For more information, call 360-357-7634. -- The Lacey Parent Cooperative Preschool is enrolling children 2 1/2 to 5 years of age for the fall 2006 session. The preschool offers classes for students ages 3 and older. To register and arrange for a classroom visit, call 360-459-5297. -- Percival Creek Preschool, at 2643 Mottman Court in Tumwater, has scheduled an open time for 10 a.m. to noon April 1, which will be the first day of enrollment for fall. The school offers classes to students ages 3 to 5. For more information, call 360-956-1319. -- Sparkleberry's Preschool, at 2605 30th Ave. S.E., is enrolling students for fall 2006. The preschool offers classes for students ages 3 through 5. For more information, call 360-754-7256. -- Steamboat Island Cooperative Preschool at 6240 41st Ave. N.W. in Olympia, is enrolling students for fall 2006. The school offers classes for students ages 18 months to 5 years. For more information, call 360-866-1819 or go to www.steamboatpreschool.org. -- The Westside Co-op Preschool, 202 Delphi Road S.W. on the grounds of McLane Elementary School in Olympia, is enrolling children for fall 2006. The preschool offers classes for ages 18 months to 5 years. The preschool also has a summer camp for ages 3 through 6 from mid-June through mid-August. Registration for summer camp begins in April. For more information, call 360-866-7383 or go online to www.westsidecooperative.org. -- Westwood Baptist Preschool, 333 Kaiser Road N.W. in Olympia, is enrolling students for fall 2006.The preschool has openings for 4- and 5-year-olds. For more information, call 360-866-6888. Heather Woodward covers education for The Olympian. She can be reached at 360-754-4225 or via e-mail at hwoodward@theolympian.com.

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Olympian, Olympia, Wash.

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Source: The Olympian, Olympia, Wash.

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