Install cameras in the playroom and outdoor area to enable parents to see their child throughout the day from their work computers. This goes a long way to putting everybody's mind at rest.
Create a virtual preschool for parents with regular web updates about the child's activities throughout the day -- when they napped and what they ate for lunch. Push the boat out and include information about the school's financial transactions so that parents know where their money is going, as well as parental money-matters so they are informed when their next school payments are due.
Divide the main school room into different activity centers. A wide variety of play and work areas provide an opportunity for children explore their full potential and remain interested and enthusiastic throughout the school day. The classroom layout is perhaps the most important element of a good preschool. Make sure that furniture is child sized and easy for the little ones to use.
Include developmental activities for disabled children and those with learning difficulties. These include speech, occupational, physical and behavioral therapy, as well as yoga and culinary arts to help nurture physical and cognitive skills in all children.
Create a techno-savvy computer learning environment. Bear in mind that a large part of computer learning in young children comes about from the interaction between teacher and child rather than the child's interaction with the computer itself. Encourage children three years and up to begin using discovery-based software together with an adult.
Plan an outdoor play area that provides a safe environment for children to have fun. Regular playtime outside is an important addition to the day and should never be sacrificed for instructional learning. Depending on your location, include a daily nature walk or provide sandpits, outdoor toys and plants.
Include plenty of toys. The success of a preschool learning environment lies in its ability to educate through play. Children will need a variety of toys throughout the day and should be allowed to mix and match according to their interests from one minute to the next. Without a wealth of choices, preschoolers are likely to become bored, which can quickly turn to conflict. A great way to ensure an adequate supply of fresh toys without the added expense is to join a toy library or organize a swapping scheme with another preschool or class.
Include an area dedicated entirely to music. Suitable instruments include drums, tambourines, xylophones and maracas -- hardy music makers that won't damage easily.
Have an abundant supply of art and craft materials to hand. Colored paper, felt tips, paints, scrapbooks, scissors, glitter and glue will keep young children occupied for long periods of time and provide excellent exploratory learning tools. Art work can be uploaded to the parents' website to keep everyone informed of the child's artistic progress.
Provide a plentiful supply of dramatic play areas such as a miniature kitchen, store or hotel reception area. You can reinvent the same props for different uses -- add a covering to the kitchen worktop to transform it into a checkout counter or hotel reception desk.
Plan instruction time carefully. Most preschools base instruction around structured play, asking children to choose an activity for an extended period of time before clean up time and progression onto another activity. Other preschools allow children to move between the learning centers at their own leisure. An effective preschool day will include a balanced mix of one on one attention with group activities and play time.