Preparing Your Child For Their Admissions Interview

When applying to nursery school or to a private on-going school, parents can expect, just as they’ll be interviewed themselves, that their child will be asked to go through an interview process. For little ones applying to nursery school programs, it’s more likely a “structured playdate” observation situation, whereas slightly older children interviewing for Kindergarten can likely expect to answer some questions from the admissions team as well be observed in play or activities (again, like the parent interview, this process varies from school to school). Here are some sage pieces of advice for preparing your child without pressuring them or causing them anxiety.

1 . Do some practice interviews with your child: “If you’re not sure what an interviewer might ask, that’s okay. Go with basics. Better to prepare your child for the experience with broad questions than not prepare them at all. Things like eye contact, handshakes, poise, and positivity are important and can certainly be practiced at home!” –Elizabeth Carey, Director of Admissions, Grades 7-12, Dwight School

2. Encourage your child to be active in the process: “When a prospective student comes for a shadow day, I always tell them: ‘Don’t feel that we are the ones evaluating you, you should also be checking us out to make sure we are a good fit for you!’ I believe the child needs to have ownership over the process. If a child approaches school with a positive attitude, they will be much more likely to succeed.” –Hope Mueller, Principal, St. Ann, The Personal School

3. Don’t over-prepare: “Please do not ‘hot-house’ or tutor your children—we can spot this a mile-off! This leads to a highly competitive and anxious process and takes the enjoyment out of the whole experience for parents and children alike… We do not expect applicants to nursery school and pre-K—or even Kindergarten—to read fluently or know their numbers to 100.” –Kate Bailey, Head of School, Wetherby-Pembridge School

4. Project a sense of calm to your child: “Remember that children are incredibly sensitive. If you’re anxious about their interview, then they will be too.” –Matt Bateman, Director of Content and Strategy, Polis Montessori World School

5 . Set realistic expectations, but keep it light: “Let the children be themselves, be well-rested, spontaneous, and light. Let them know they’re going to meet new people that day—other parents and adults—but do encourage them to have fun… Keep it simple. Have them come in comfortable clothes and ready to play.” –Martine Lala, Director of Admissions, Lycée Français de New York

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<p>YMCA Long Island <strong>Early Childhood/ Preschool Programs</strong> provide a safe and supportive learning environment for young children to grow and thrive.</p> <p>The YMCA of Long Island's Early Childhood/Preschool Programs are committed to providing a safe, supportive learning environment for young children to learn, grow and develop social skills. Our teachers create a warm and loving atmosphere while offering a developmentally-appropriate, engaging curriculum, where children can play, discover and learn. The development of independence, trust and initiative is fostered through a balanced program of choice and structure, quiet and active play, and group and individual time. Our programs encourage children to explore, experiment and learn through literacy, science, dramatic play, block building, art, music and manipulative materials all while acquiring school readiness skills of reading and math. Age ranges for Early Childhood/Preschool Programs are 18 months* - 4 years old. <em>*Please check your local branch as ages vary per branch.</em></p> <p>YMCA Long Island Early Education/ Preschool Programs are offered at our Glen Cove, Huntington and Great South Bay locations. We offer a developmentally-appropriate, engaging curriculum, where children can play, discover and learn.</p>

Dillon Child Study Center @ St Joseph’s College

<p><span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">The laboratory preschool of St. Joseph’s College offers</span><span style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: #ffffff;"> half- and full-day, mixed-age programming for 2-5 year olds. Classes are in an atmosphere where children are free to express their feelings and ideas. Children learn through play, developing confidence, competence and dispositions for future learning. All programs offered are led by NYS certified teachers, and assisting in the classroom are students from SJC’s Department of Child Study. The laboratory preschool is composed of modern, spacious classrooms, each of which have an observation booth, and all classes share a beautiful outdoor space. </span></span>When you visit, you won’t want to leave!</span></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: #0f57ca;"><strong><span style="color: #000000; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Join an Upcoming Open House for the 2025-26 school year</span></strong></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: #0f57ca;"><span style="color: #000000; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">(Open House dates held September 2024-March 2025 will be announced in August, 2024)</span></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: #0f57ca;"> </p> <p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;"> </p> <p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;"> </p>

The École

<p>At The École, we believe that the goal of education is to develop well-informed, well-rounded, responsible, and compassionate students who can create and connect to a world filled with possibilities. This belief is at the heart of our uniquely designed bilingual program, in which students learn not just to speak, read, and write in two languages but also to think, feel, and act in ways informed by two cultures. To always see, explore, and understand the world around them from two perspectives is the gift of the deeply bi-literate, bi-cultural student.<br /><br />Artfully blending the curriculum requirements and pedagogical approaches of the French and American systems, our native-speaking faculty create rich academic environments for a diverse, international student body. From Maternelle through Middle School, students at The École are guided through the core language arts, social studies, math, and sciences content, as well as character and cultural enrichment in both French and English for all subjects. In our intimate classroom settings or out and about in New York City’s many artistic and historical institutions, using traditional and technology-based techniques, our teachers aspire to provide individual and group bilingual learning opportunities that engage, challenge, and inspire.</p>