Opening a preschool is more complicated than starting a traditional school. You must comply with the laws governing preschools and deal with issues that don't often arise with older students. Here's some tips to help you with the process.
Instructions
1. Pick a wise location. Many churches offer their educational wings to house preschools during the week. This works well due to the many bathrooms and usually a kitchen is already available. However, if you are seeking a more philosophically neutral location you need to search for those same amenities: bathrooms and a kitchen.
2. Make a sound budget. A preschool budget should include money for salaries (including yours), supplies, curriculum, furniture (it will break and need to be replaced), snacks, toys, mortgage or rent, utilities, phone, heat and cooling costs, and insurance. Set the student tuition after the budget is made. Try to have the most children possible in order to divide up the operating cost and keep tuition low.
3. Choose a strong and flexible curriculum. Advertising as a preschool suggests that the children will be learning preschool skills. This title sets your program apart from mere day care. A large variety of curriculums are available, but flexibility is key. Each class of children poses different needs and challenges. Your curriculum must make allowances for adaptation.
4. Address the issue of transportation. Providing transportation for preschoolers will involve the purchase of buses, and car seats for children less than age three. Parent transportation only necessitates pick-up and drop-off procedures. Some type of sign-in and sign-out process is critical for the children's security.
5. Provide any training required by law for your staff. Many states require day care workers (that includes preschool) to have current CPR/first-aid training. One day courses are usually available, and the instructor can come to your school for a fee.
6. Monitor your student-to-teacher ratios. These ratios differ by state but they will dictate how many children less than five years old can be with one adult. The younger the children the more adults required.
7. Establish a code of discipline and consequences that will be used. Preschool problems involve hitting, kicking, biting, spitting, and even stealing. Printing out how these issues will be addressed ahead of time makes communication with the parents easier. Young children have limited communication skills and they will use physical means to communicate what they cannot verbalize.
8. Set out a school calendar. It helps parents if the preschool calendar coincides with the public school system and it facilitates family vacation planning. Your working hours are also part of this. Preschools vary from whole- to half-day programs. Half-day programs are easier to manage. You do not have to provide lunch or sleeping arrangements for half-day programs.
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