Parent Preschool Interview

Submitted by pteitelbaum@edu... on Thu, 2012-02-09 10:44

As part of the admissions process, most nursery schools will schedule an interview with your child. Typically, the director, a staff member or teacher will observe your child in a play group session with a few other children of the same age who are probably also applicants. Your child may be in a class in which the teacher may ask the child to draw a picture or complete a task. Depending on the school, parents may or may not be allowed to be present.

The director or staff will observe your child’s developmental level to decide if he or she is a good fit for the school. More specifically, they will observe:

  • How your child responds to the teacher (i.e., follows instructions).
  • How your child interacts with other children.
  • Your child’s cognitive ability.

The day before the interview:

  • Tell your child that he or she will be visiting a school the following day and will probably be playing with other children for about an hour.
  • Tell your child that an adult may ask her/him to draw a picture or complete a task.
  • Tell your child that you will do something special after the session.
  • Dress the child in appropriate, yet comfortable clothing. If the school has a dress code, dress the child as formally as required. If the school does not have a dress code, informal clothing is adequate.
  • If only one parent brings the child to the nursery school, select the parent from whom the child has the easiest time separating.