What kind of questions did you ask??? That would be really helpful!
We'd let them get into their spiel, then wait for an opening.
"What is your approach to moving kids from one level to the other?"
Bad Reponse: "Our program is the best in the area and kids develop at the same rate so we use age."
Good Response:"We don't have a fixed criteria. We leave it up to the teachers and parents and kids to make that decision. We see some kids move up fast, others not so fast."
"What are some challenges you face with different levels of ability?"
Bad Response:"All our kids are bright, so we have very little issues." ( A bit later she free associated about a 5 year old with 10 year old math skills and how they did not know what to do with him as he was socially a baby. Can you say Aspie!!)
Good response:"Some kids are more advanced than others and it varies in both intellectual and social skills. Our teachers try to make things interesting for all the kids. It can be hard."
"Have you had some disagreements with parents and how did you handle it?"
Bad Reponse:"Oh, we rarely have any issues."
Good Reponse:"We have cameras in every room and we use these to resolve questions about what the kids have done. I try to talk to parents one on one and then get the other side of the story as well. If I cannot resolve it, I'll get my supervisor to help or sometimes the PTA can help out."
"What are the biggest reasons kids leave?"
Bad Response:"The parents don't see the value in what we are doing."
Good response:"Lots of reasons - moves, finances, etc. But most of our kids just go onto Kindergarten."
We looked for someone who was going to listen to us, saw the kids as humans and individuals, and who lived in the real world.
