Choosing a preschool is about more than fees and distance from home. Parents want to know how settling in works, who will look after their child, what the activities are, how communication works and whether the place fits the family’s rhythm.
Ask separately about tuition, meals, the joining fee and extra activities. That makes it easier to compare the real cost of childcare.
At our preschool: tuition is 590 zł for 5 hours a day, 650 zł for 7 hours and 690 zł for over 7 hours. Meals cost 20 zł a day and the joining fee is 0 zł.
Ask whether the fee is fixed or depends on attendance, and how illness, holidays and longer breaks are handled.
At our preschool: tuition is fixed throughout the year and is not reduced for additional days off or holiday breaks. If a month-long absence is reported in advance, tuition is 300 zł to cover fixed costs. Meals are charged in arrears, based on the actual number of days attended. An absence must be reported by 8:00 at the latest, in which case no meal charge is applied for that day.
Before choosing a preschool it is worth knowing the notice period and what happens if family plans change or settling in takes longer.
At our preschool: either party may terminate the contract with one month’s notice, effective at the end of the month. This is set out in the preschool’s documents and is worth discussing calmly before signing.
Ask what a typical day looks like, what teaching methods are used and how the preschool supports independence, focus and school readiness.
At our preschool: we combine learning with play, movement, creativity and daily support from the teachers. Children develop social, language, physical and cognitive skills.
Good communication helps you notice a child’s strengths quickly, as well as the areas that need support.
At our preschool: we focus on ongoing contact with parents and an individual approach to each child. If needed, a parent can speak with the teacher or a specialist.
It is worth establishing straight away what is covered by the tuition and which activities require an additional payment.
At our preschool: the tuition includes, among others, eurhythmics, dance, English, Spanish, sensory play, coding, social skills training, yoga, sessions with the speech therapist, psychologist and special-needs teacher, themed workshops and theatre performances. Trips, Przedszkoliada, karate and corrective gymnastics are charged separately.
Ask how often the classes take place and whether children learn through play, songs, movement and everyday situations.
At our preschool: English takes place twice a week and Spanish once a week. In addition, once a month we hold an English day, when activities across different topics are run with a greater emphasis on contact with the language.
Creative activities support speech, imagination, confidence and cooperation within the group.
At our preschool: children take part in eurhythmics, dance, sensory play, art, themed workshops, as well as regular drama sessions and activities that develop the imagination.
It is worth asking about the teachers’ education, experience and the stability of the team.
At our preschool: the teachers hold the relevant teaching qualifications, including training in early-years education. Teaching assistants have appropriate training, courses and certificates, including working with children, first aid, activity leadership and the basics of developmental psychology.
A speech therapist, psychologist and special-needs teacher help to spot a child’s needs sooner and support the family.
At our preschool: children are supported by a speech therapist, a psychologist and a special-needs teacher. This is one of the important parts of our work.
Do not only ask about the maximum number of places. Ask about the actual group size and the number of adults working with the children.
At our preschool: the preschool can admit up to 44 children in total, but day to day we plan small groups of up to 20 children. The additional places are treated as organisational headroom. In practice the numbers are often lower, so it is best to confirm the current situation during an admissions conversation.
It is useful to know whether the preschool is secular or faith-based, or whether it includes additional religious education.
At our preschool: the preschool is secular and focuses on the child’s development, safety, relationships and learning through play.
Ask whether settling in is gradual and whether the preschool allows for children moving at different paces.
At our preschool: we handle settling in individually, in calm contact with the parent and with attention to the child’s emotions.
Daily movement and time outside support children’s health, immunity and wellbeing.
At our preschool: we make sure children spend time outdoors every day, with walks and physical activity whenever conditions allow.
Ask for a sample menu and about allergies, intolerances and the option of an elimination diet.
At our preschool: meals are delivered by Gastro House, a professional catering company specialising in healthy, balanced menus for children. The available diets are gluten-free, pork-free, vegetarian, vegan, and one limiting dairy products and their derivatives. The menus are prepared by a team of experienced dietitians.
It is worth asking about entry to the building, child collection, monitoring, staff training and procedures in case of an accident.
At our preschool: the grounds are fenced and monitored. You cannot enter or leave the premises on your own — the gate is opened and closed by a member of staff. Children are collected by parents or by people authorised in writing. The preschool also follows Child Protection Standards drawn up in line with Polish law.
Day-to-day communication matters especially at the start, while a child is settling in.
At our preschool: the main channel for contact with parents is the LiveKid app. Parents can report absences, contact teachers and the management, receive current information, and check announcements, the daily schedule, the menu, and photos and reports from events.
A visit lets you see the atmosphere, the rooms, the garden and how staff speak with the children.
At our preschool: we invite parents to get in touch and arrange a visit. The easiest way is to call +48 609 815 261 or use the admissions form.
Let’s talk about settling in, hours, costs and available places.
