Evaluating a Learning Environment

Note to Parents - please modify these questions as needed for the preschool environment

These questions are for parents to ask and consider when enrolling their children in a particular learning environment. These questions are not made to endorse or reject local educational options. The purpose of these questions is to make sure that a family is making an informed choice and knows the strengths and weaknesses of these environments. 

What is the school year?

• What calendar year does the school follow - September- June or August to May, or Jan-Nov?  

• Thinking in advance about how this could impact furlough/home assignment dates is helpful especially if you anticipate using a learning environment for more than a year or two.

What curriculum and methodology are used?

• How does this fit with your child’s legal nationality, learning style, and personality?

• If this situation is not a good fit for meeting long-term educational goals, does it meet short-term goals (such as language-learning and relationship building in the culture/community) without causing undue stress on the child? 

• At what ages and for how long is it appropriate to leave a child in a less appropriate setting when considering long-term needs?

• Will it transition well during moves?

• If the curriculum is largely student-paced and independent learning, does the learning environment provide supplemental activities such as sports or group projects?  

• Is the learning environment open to part-time enrollment? If you anticipate being in a remote allocation for weeks at a time, would the learning environment be open to that?

• Is the curriculum internet based? What internet filters are used on computers? Are there safeguards in place to protect the children?

• What PE activities are included? Are children expected to change clothes for PE activities? Would your child and your culture be comfortable with these situations or can you opt-out of them? 

Are the special needs of struggling learners addressed?

Does this environment provide services to my child struggling with a particular learning area?

• Is there staff experienced in supporting struggling learners?

• Does the curriculum provide support for struggling learners?

• Is there a specialized diagnostic evaluation available?

How are teachers hired, screened, and utilized (i.e. student to staff ratio)?  

• What degrees or training is provided or required?

• What accreditation is involved?

• Do the teachers teach or are they more like tutors?  

• What is the staff to student ratio (classroom, playground, etc.)?

What is the language of instruction?

• If the instruction is in English, what is the teacher’s level of English?  

• What is the language used at home by most students attending?

• Is there a mix of heritage/mother tongue languages of students?  

What is the worldview?  

• Does this fit with your values and beliefs?  

• Would your child be a target for bullying, conversion, or difficulty due to faith?

What are the facilities and supervision like?  

• Is the playground and equipment maintained? 

• Are children ever left unsupervised?  

• How many staff or aides are available?  

• Are parents welcome to stop by the learning environment during the school day unannounced? 

• Can parents volunteer?  

• Do the students leave the learning environment at any point in the day for outside activities? 

• What is the physical location of the learning environment? (i.e., where in the city, etc.) 

• What kind of transportation is available and what is the length of transport to and from schooling location?

What child safeguarding practices are in place?

• How does the staff handle classroom management? Is corporal punishment acceptable? 

• Is there child safety training provided for teachers and staff?  

• Do schools address issues such as appropriate touching and pornography in a developmentally appropriate way? 

In what way is the learning environment accredited?

• Do the course offerings and curriculum meet similar requirements in your passport country or the country where your child will be for post-secondary education?  

• What achievement assessment would be beneficial and necessary for university or college entrance in your passport country and does the school provide this?

• What kind of records or transcripts are available and maintained?