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Play and lots of play related resources (wooden blocks, food, beads, etc.)

Plays well with others? Pre-k has been a bigger deal with some pretty rigorous academic requirements.

Well most preschools we have been are mixed ages through prek so here is what I expect: an introduction to the letters including writing their names, introduction to numbers to 100, colors, shapes, reading (reading to the kids), fine and gross motor skill development both as play and formalized (ours has play do station or will cut food), and socialization. We have found the best program because they do all of that for him. He can spell his name, knows all of his letters and numbers (to 40) by sight, and any socialization issues are brought up to us (playing Star Wars instead if what the other kids are playing).

Are you not including Pre-K? I would say recognition of colors, letters & numbers. Music, art, and creativity are important to me as well.

I don't differentiate between preschool and Prek, because in my state, PreK isn't available in all location in the public school system.

Our preschool is play based, what I need my son to learn is mostly better social and emotional skills. He scores highly on the assessments for concrete skills, such as sequencing and counting, but where he lacks skills are in things such as transitioning to activites he doesn't want to do, following a set schedule in class, etc.

The preschool she's attending is play based and they are also part of the city's universal pre-k program so I'm not worried about how they will prepare LO for pre-k since obviously they know what they're doing.

I expect them to prepare LO for being in a classroom with her peers, how to interact with her peers, handle disagreements, etc.

I do worry about how they will meet LO's needs education-wise since they base what they'll teach on the entire class--for instance with their last class of 3s they focused on the letters and identifying them. If a majority of the 3s already know the letters they will move onto the sounds of the letters. I expect that if they find that LO is ahead of the other kids in her class that they will be able to adapt or help her individually.

@jhd: we are at that stage and those are my same wants. but also, to give me free time to spend and take care of my youngest lol.

I live abroad and as a new mom, I didn't know what to expect. I did know that they don't focus so much on academics. But after seeing how her preschool works, I don't mind at all.

I expect LO to socialize, build relationships, learn to follow directions, table manners, learn simple responsibilities, and if we're lucky, patience. So far they're excelling

Their theme for this season is learning about other countries. The last theme was about being a good friend.

None- mostly just the socialization aspect. I expect a lot from that. Any education based materials I expect to expose him to more at home through our own play.

We are looking at one preschool that could potentially do speech therapy with our oldest, if that's the case then I have high expectations for growth in that area, but that's about it.

My LO's preschool does it all. Academics, socialization, biblical values, parent involvement, multiple schoolwide musical performances, fundraisers, portfolios, progress reports, conferences, art. I didn't expect it but if we didn't have any of those after having this, I would be disappointed.