Finding a preschool or early child care setting is challenging for any parent, but when your child has additional needs, this may feel like an even more daunting task. Will the program support my child’s needs? Is this a place that will help them thrive and continue to develop their skills? Will they recognize all of the potential my child has? There is no set of criteria that will be a match for every child; however, there are some considerations that will help you navigate this important decision-making process. 

• Get to know the school/daycare and their philosophy… Get specific!
• Knowing the school’s philosophy can give you insight into how they structure their programs and the ideals they’re routed in.
• Does their philosophy lend itself to a more autonomous approach or a more structured style of teaching?
• What kind of environment does your child learn best in?
• Some children with communication deficits benefit from structure and clear expectations to facilitate their language development. However, other children find success with a more fluid method of teaching.
• Find out how what a typical day looks like in the classroom:
• What is the daily schedule?  Is it flexible?
• Are there stations or centers, opportunities for small groups or individual work? Is play built in? What is the student/teacher ratio? Will there be someone to facilitate peer interactions?
• Ask scenario-based questions to see how staff responses align with your expectations or family philosophy.
• How do you deal with conflict?
• What happens if a child is not following the rules?
• How will you communicate with me? How often will we communicate?

• Meet with directors and teachers to learn about their experience teaching, special interests or skills.  Have they worked with children who have communication disorders before?
• Do they have plans and supports in place to help them access the curriculum and thrive?
• Are they flexible in their teaching methods and approaches to accommodate a variety of learning styles and problem solve situations as they occur?
• Are they willing to collaborate with your child’s outside providers to learn about them and the strategies that have helped them access and use language?
• Are they willing to have open conversations with you and keep you updated about your child’s progress and/or difficulties to dynamically problem solve when necessary?

• Ask specifically about accommodations
• Do they accommodate Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs) and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)?
• Share the current plan for your child and discuss how these supports may be implemented
• Do they have protocols in place to support behavioral interventions and redirection?
• What can they do to support your child’s additional needs, communication or otherwise?

• Discuss your concerns and ways they will address them/support your child
• You are an expert in your child and should advocate for their success. If you’re not comfortable with the school, teacher, philosophy or have a gut feeling that it’s not a good fit, chances are it’s not the place for your child. It may take some time, but investing the time early on to find the right match will be worth it in the long run. You will find a school that will help your child reach their potential!