10 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Preschool in Narlıdere

Choosing a preschool in Narlıdere is about much more than "which one is closest". Your child will spend most of the day there — first friendships, first responsibilities, first "I can do it" moments. Here are 10 questions to take with you on a school visit, and what to look for in the answers.

1. What is your educational approach, and how does it show in the daily routine?

Names like "Reggio Emilia", "Waldorf", "Montessori" or "forest school" mean little on their own. The real question is how the approach looks from morning circle to nap time. Are children's projects visible in the classroom? Are materials at child height? Does the teacher guide, or hand out ready answers?

At our school, Reggio Emilia's project-based curiosity, Waldorf rhythm and weekly forest school days come together in one holistic programme — see our programs.

2. What are the class size and adult-to-child ratio?

One adult for 6-8 children at ages 2-3 and 10-12 at ages 4-6 makes individual attention possible. Ask for the number, and clarify whether the assistant teacher is in the room all day or rotates.

3. Is the founder or director in the building during the day?

In a small school, a founder who is in the classrooms every day is one of the strongest quality signals. Who holds parent meetings? Who tracks your child's development? The answer should be a name, not "a manager".

4. How are meals handled?

Cooked on site or delivered? Can you see the weekly menu? What happens with allergies and special diets? Ask to see the kitchen — a clean, open kitchen says a lot.

5. How much of the day is spent outdoors?

Narlıdere's biggest asset is its nature. Is there a garden, is it used every day, what happens in rain? If they say "forest school": how many days a week, where, with which adults?

6. How does the adaptation period work?

Can a parent stay in the classroom during the first week? Is the pace set by the child or by a fixed calendar? A school that sums it up as "three days of crying, then fine" is centred on the calendar, not the child. Our first day of school guide covers this in detail.

7. How do you communicate with parents?

Daily updates (meals, sleep, mood), monthly development reports, regular parent meetings — through which channel and how often? How is children's privacy protected when photos are shared?

8. What are the health and safety measures?

Licence, first-aid-trained staff, emergency plan, building safety (stair rails, sockets, garden fence). Don't hesitate to ask; a good school answers gladly.

9. What are the hours, and how flexible are they?

Full day (08:00–17:30 with us), half day, flexible options? Do they fit your commute? If you come from Güzelbahçe, Urla or Seferihisar, morning drop-off flexibility matters — see our area pages.

10. What do other parents say?

Read Google reviews — but look at the content, not just the stars. "My daughter runs into school every morning" or "the teacher writes to us daily" says more than generic praise. If you can, chat with a parent at pick-up time.

One last tip: bring your child

Visit with your child and watch them. Did they run to the garden, make eye contact with a teacher, ask "can we come again" on the way out? Children often feel in ten minutes what we analyse for months.

We invite you and your child to visit our school in Limanreis, Narlıdere. Book an introductory meeting at a time that suits you.