Kindergarten 101: What to Look for in a Well-Run Kindergarten Class

Once you’ve made the decision that your child is ready to start kindergarten, your next step is to tour potential schools. These visits will give you a chance to see the kindergarten teachers in action, and to see how they run their classrooms.

As we mentioned in the “What Is Kindergarten?” article, a well-run classroom should offer kids developmentally-appropriate learning opportunities, without pushing them beyond what they can handle. It should provide them with chances to engage in playtime (whether structured or unstructured), as well as designated times to rest and refuel (e.g., naptime, snacktime). And yet, even though these are great signs of a well-run classroom, they’re not the only ones.

In fact, there are quite a number of things that you should look for and ask about when touring a school. Here’s a list of general topics that you should pay attention to during your visit, along with a sampling of questions you can ask for each.

(And don’t forget to get your child care provider involved in this process, too — whether it’s your babysitter, nanny, or mother’s helper. They know your child well and can help you brainstorm a list of questions that are tailored toward your child’s needs and interests.)

Classroom/School Logistics

How big are the classes?
Does the class size seem manageable or unwieldy?
Are safety precautions in place — both in the classroom and in the school?
How diverse is the classroom? The school? Is it diverse in terms of race/ethnicity/sociocultural background?
What is school policy on bullying?
Is transportation provided to and from school?
How is communication handled between the teacher and the child’s parent/guardian/care provider?

The Class Curriculum and Teaching Style

Does the teacher do a good job of engaging all of the students, or does she seem to focus her attention on a few?
Are all activities done in one large group, or is there also one-on-one time with the teacher? Is there any small group learning opportunities?

Are learning opportunities presented during everyday situations, as well as during instructional periods?
Are outside trips offered that help bolster learning? (e.g., field trips to libraries, stores, museums, zoos, etc.)
Are there ample opportunities for kids to participate in creative activities, such as drawing, performing, and singing?
How much “read aloud time” is there?
Are movies or television shows routinely shown in the classroom? If so, how many hours per week are spent in front of screens? Why?

The Classroom/School “Look and Feel”

Is the classroom clean? Are the bathrooms and other public areas clean?
Does the atmosphere foster respect and manners?
Do the kids look happy? Do they appear engaged?
Does the teacher seem happy to be there? Or does she seem exhausted and overwhelmed?
Does student artwork decorate the classroom and hallways?
Does each child have a designated space (i.e., “cubby”) where they can store their things during the day?

The Quality and Quantity of Available Learning Materials

Are there lots of books, magazines, and other materials?
Are the materials current, or outdated?
Do books appear tattered and worn, or relatively new?
Are there enough toys for all of the children to play with, or are there only enough for a few children to play with at a time?
When they do arts and crafts, are there enough materials for each child to make their own project?

Once you’ve been on these tours and gathered the information you need, you’ll be in a better position to identify the schools where your child could grow and thrive — as well as the ones where you know they wouldn’t.