- 1). Talk with other parents of children close in age to your own about what they would like to see in a preschool group. Gauge where the area of interest lies, such as physical activity, religious instruction, socialization or education. Investigate whether there are already more than enough groups that cater to that interest.
- 2). Decide if you want the group to be a co-op, where the parents take turns running the group. Other possibilities are to hire a teacher, an assistant or run it yourself. Decide if the group will rotate among homes. Co-ops sometimes sound better in theory than they work out in reality. The reason many co-ops fail is because one or two individuals end up doing all the work.
- 3). Research local and state regulations that may affect the group. Find out if there are any licensing requirements, as well as how many unrelated children you are allowed to watch and for how many hours.
- 4). Perform a safety check on the planned location for the group. If you’re meeting in a basement, check that the wiring is covered, there are no leaks or mildew issues, fresh air can circulate, lighting is bright, the children can’t access the furnace or other appliances, clutter and dangerous objects are removed and that you can access snacks and materials without leaving the room. Make sure you have a nearby bathroom so you can monitor the group as you help another child use the toilet.
- 5). Advertise in the immediate location of the group and don’t forget word-of-mouth. Be specific about age requirements. A six month range between the youngest and oldest child in the group works best. Small groups are best for children with socialization issues.
- 6). Meet with the parents to determine the group’s schedule, lessons, curriculum, how many adults you want to oversee the group and how you will communicate to the group. Discuss allergies, parenting styles and illness policies.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Sign up here to get the latest news, updates and special offers delivered directly to your inbox.
You can unsubscribe at any time
Prev Post
Next Post