Touring a School 101

Anytime a family decides to make a change, it can feel overwhelming to know where to start. Whether you are going back to work after having your new baby, a new job that necessitates a childcare change, or getting your preschooler ready for Kindergarten, choosing to enroll your child in daycare is a big life change. And all big life changes come with questions.

However, if it’s your first time entering the world of childcare, knowing what questions to ask can feel stressful. We’re here to help by giving you not only some questions to ask, but also the reason why these questions can give you a comprehensive picture of what a school has to offer. Whether you are visiting Celebree School of Franklin-Cool Springs or another childcare facility in the area, these questions will help you make the best decision for your family!

What hours does your program offer?

This question may seem elementary, but it can be an important factor for your family. Does the program offer hours that meet your family’s needs? Do they have a day program and an “extended program” which may involve more fees? Do they offer part-time, and is it for all ages? For example, here at Celebree, we offer part-time options for children over one through our preschool program, but our 5-year-old class is a full-time program to help promote kindergarten readiness.

Does your school use a curriculum? Can I see a lesson plan?

The Department of Human Services of Tennessee requires that all childcare facilities have a lesson plan posted for parents to see and review. However, there are very few stipulations on what needs to be on that lesson plan. Make sure your child will be getting a fulfilling educational experience that meets their developmental needs. In our infant class, their lesson plan includes a lot of sensory activities, guided gross motor builders, and sign language. Our toddler class has a lot of activities that build language, full-body coordination, and social-emotional skills for those big feelings that come with toddlerhood. Our preschool program focuses on expanding our children’s horizons, teaching them about community and how to connect to the world around them, while enriching those activities with academic skills. You should be able to see intentionality in every lesson plan, and during the tours, ask teachers about the activities they are doing. Teachers should be able to talk about the skills they are building in their classroom.

How do you handle lunches, snacks, and food allergies?

Even if your child doesn’t have a food allergy, the way a school handles a potential allergen can tell you a lot about their commitment to safety. Whoever is giving your visit should be able to tell you how they handled allergies, whether it’s a classroom-wide ban on a product, an allergen-free school, or a system to make sure a child is isolated from potential risk. They should also be able to tell you about the food they provide, the steps they take to prepare food, and have a food permit on display. While schools may have different offerings when it comes to what food they prepare, they should be able to tell you how they prepare it.

For infant parents, make sure to discuss how bottles are labeled and stored, what protocols are in place to make sure babies receive the correct bottles, and what steps the school takes to support the introduction of solids. That first year of life involves a lot of firsts when it comes to food, and making sure children develop those self-feeding and safe swallowing skills is crucial.

How do you support your teachers?

Teachers are the backbone of a school. They support every student in every classroom. You need to know how an administration treats its teachers. Do they support professional development? Do they allow planning time so teachers can provide lessons at their highest potential? How often are classrooms experiencing turnover? If possible, speak to the teachers who will be in your child’s classroom. Even a two-minute chat can help you feel at ease about the person who will spend your child’s school day with them. Sometimes a teacher’s meet and greet may not be possible due to the busyness of the classroom. But take time to observe how the teacher interacts with the students, or what activities the students are engaged in. Celebree not only devotes time to training our teachers before they enter a classroom, but we also do regular classroom observations each month and improve regulation skills for children and teachers alike, utilizing Conscious Discipline.

What security procedures does your school have?

All facilities will have different security capabilities, but making sure a school controls access to students is so important. Do they check photo IDs? Are their doors locked during the day? How are they tracking children’s arrivals and departures? Celebree School of Franklin-Cool Springs utilizes top-of-the-line security doors and camera systems to ensure we know what is going on in our school each day.

How do you communicate with parents?

How a school communicates with its parents is important. Whether it’s emergency procedures, early dismissals, or an illness policy, parents deserve clear communication. An accessible parent handbook is a must! Please make sure to ask how you will be contacted in an event, whether by phone call or by an app. What does the school’s illness policy look like, and where can you find it? This is also a good time to specify if there are certain things you want to be alerted to above and beyond. For example, if your child has had a traumatic experience that may influence behavior during a fire drill, you can ask to be communicated with in advance so you can prepare your child. You should feel welcome in your child’s center to ask questions and advocate for your child.

Most Important: Find a center that LOVES your questions

As someone who hosts visits on a regular basis, I love a family with questions! I want to know what is important to them, how to make them comfortable, and how to show them what they need so they can make this decision. Ultimately, I hope I can show them what makes Celebree School of Franklin-Cool Springs the right place for their family. But regardless of the choice made, the questions are the most important part!

-Written by Abby Knight, Assistant School Director