IT was GREAT! The director was really impressed with all my questions. She said no one has ever asked her about teacher impropriety, and she always wondered why, since it's a very important question. The school feels great, except they were having issues with their door locks, and it unnerved me that we were able to get into the school unannounced. We will be visiting again, and if that is still an issue, she will not be dropped off at that school until the doors are kept locked at all times. (This is my in-laws church, and they are very involved, been at it for 25 years, so we shouldn't have a problem with that, they'll also be paying her tuition).
Here is what I asked, pretty much in that order, unless conversationally she answered something.
What makes your school a great place to be?
What's your curriculum like?
What's your educational philosophy?
What parenting books would you recommend?
What's a typical day look like?
What do you do when a child doesn't want to participate in an activity?
What do you do when a child has a hard time sitting still?
What's your discipline philosophy?
Has anyone on staff ever hit a child?
Do you have a written policy?
May I have a copy?
What do you do when children are aggressive with each other?
What do you do when children say mean things?
What do you do when children act out or throw tantrums?
What do you do when children talk back or are aggressive with the teachers?
How do you inform the parents when something out of the ordinary happens or warrants discipline?
What's your sick policy? When do you exclude children? Call parents to come get them?
What do you do in case of an emergency?
Do you have a disaster plan, and if so, what is it?
May I have a copy?
How is the building secured?
Who has keys?
How are the teachers screened?
What areas are reviewed during these background inquiries?
Who gathers the information?
Who in the administration reviews the information and determines the suitability for employment?
What are the criteria for disqualifying an applicant?
What about other people with access to the building? (janitors, volunteers, church personnel, etc).
What training do your teachers have? What's their background? What kind of continuing education do you do? What's the teacher-student ratio?
Do you have a policy manual or teacher's handbook? May I have a copy or review it here?
Where is the safety of students addressed?
Are there policies addressing violence, weapons, drug use, sexual abuse, child-on-child sexual abuse, unauthorized visitors?
Can my child call me at any time?
May I visit my child at any time?
What is your policy for when to contact parents?
What are the parent notification procedures?
How does the school address special situations (custody disputes, child kidnapping concerns, etc.)?
Are older children separated from younger children during recess, lunch, rest-room breaks, etc.?
Are acts of violence or criminality at the school documented? Are statistics maintained?
May I review the statistics?
What violence or criminality has occurred at the school during the last three years?
Is there a regular briefing of teachers and administrators to discuss safety and security issues?
Will I be informed of teacher misconduct that might have an impact on the safety or well-being of my child?
If there is an emergency in a classroom, how does the teacher summon help?
If there is an emergency on the playground, how does the teacher summon help?
What are the policies and procedures covering emergencies (fire, civil unrest, earthquake, violent intruder, etc.)?
How often are emergency drills performed?
What procedures are followed when a child is injured?
What guidelines do they follow about picking up children?
How are snacks handled? What if my child is hungry before/after?
Bathroom breaks?
What haven't I asked that I should know?
Who will Bella’s teacher and aide be?
When can I meet them?
chers?
