An Educator's Perspective: Five Things To Look For When Choosing A Kindergarten or Early Childhood Program

Five Signs of a Great Kindergarten or Early Childhood Program

Choosing a school in Los Angeles can feel like navigating the city’s highways; so many routes, unexpected turns, and the nagging feeling that you might be headed in the wrong direction. Options span from your local school to independent schools, magnets, and charters. In addition, the parent landscape and social pressures can make you feel that if you don’t get into the “right” school, all is lost. As the Director of Preschool through Kindergarten at Westside Neighborhood School (WNS), I’ve walked through many classrooms and spoken with countless families. What I look for may differ from what a first-time parent notices. Here are five signs that might surprise you when evaluating a strong Transitional Kindergarten (TK) or Kindergarten program:

1. Are Teachers Smiling?

One way to get a window into a school’s educational quality is by noticing how joyful the classrooms feel. As an administrator, I’ve observed that excellent teachers generally seem relaxed and at ease in their classrooms. While teaching will always be hard work, the best teachers don’t seem to sweat. Capable teachers are happier in the classroom, and happier teachers are more capable in the classroom; it’s a bit of a chicken-and-egg situation. When you tour a school and see unhappy teachers, they may be under-supported, inexperienced, or not in the right profession. 

2. How Is Misbehavior Addressed?

Students' feelings about school develop on the first day and solidify each following day. Even if your child generally follows directions, seeing other students punished or reprimanded can impact their stress level and overall feelings about school. Schools with a growth-centered, non-punitive approach to behavior have more successful outcomes than those focused on punishment.  At WNS, we use a skills-based approach to discipline with logical consequences and restorative practices to support student learning. These practices are a time investment at the beginning of the year but pay off in the long run as students build empathy, perspective taking, and self-regulation.

3. Is There Time for Play?

Great schools make time for play. While you may have heard about the importance of play for young children and theoretically support it, some parents may feel anxiety about giving up academic time for play. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests that five and six-year-old children should have at least 60 minutes of unstructured, free play and three hours of physical activity daily. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) emphasizes that more is better regarding play.

Some schools see play and unstructured time as something they wish they had time for, but not a priority. Ironically, those children miss out on foundational skills like problem solving, executive functioning, critical thinking, and physical knowledge. These skills allow children to succeed as academic stakes increase. 

4. What Approach Does the School Take to Literacy?

Parents may assume that any Kindergarten or TK with a small class size will know how to teach reading, or that all reading programs are generally the same. In fact, according to the California Reading curriculum report, fewer than 2% of districts in California use programs that follow the science of reading. Our understanding of how children learn to read has changed, and some schools haven’t updated their approach to align with current research. At WNS, we have thought deeply about our approach and invest heavily in professional development to keep up with research. I recommend a school that has given significant thought to how it teaches students to read. 

5. What Does Your Gut Tell You?

Finally, listen to your gut when choosing a school for your child. Ultimately, choosing the right kindergarten program is about finding a place where your child, and you, feel at home. Trust your instincts, and look for signs of a community that values joy, growth, and belonging.

 

About Westside Neighborhood School:

WNS is an independent preschool-8th grade school located in Playa Vista, Los Angeles. WNS is committed to creating a deeply caring community of lifelong learners that nurtures students from diverse backgrounds to reach their full potential, develop cultural competency, and inspire the world with their curiosity, innovation, compassion, and stewardship. 

Westside Neighborhood School is an accredited member of the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). For more information, visit wns-la.org.