How to Choose a Preschool

Parenting is full of important decision making and really, each decision is just as important as the one before it and the one after it.  One of the first important decisions parents have to make is the daunting one of where to send their child to preschool.  No big deal, right?  Preschool just sets the foundation for learning and helps mold the world’s next generation of leaders. But how do you choose?  The answer isn’t as complicated as you might think.     

Step one is to think about the basics.  Prevent yourself from being overwhelmed!  As a parent, it’s important you consider things like preschool location.  How far is the preschool from your home or your workplace?  Remember, preschool needs to work itself into your daily life.  As a parent, if you’re working, you’ll need to consider whether or not the preschool offers childcare services in the morning and in the afternoon.  By fielding these questions you’ll be able to narrow down your true list of options.       

Next, familiarize yourself with preschool terms.  Yes, this is a real thing.  You’ll need to understand the difference between “Montessori,” “child-centered,” and “faith-based” so you can choose which option might be best for your soon-to-be preschooler.  A preschool’s education philosophy must match your ideas and ideals or you won’t feel like you’re giving your preschooler the best experience.       

Once you understand what it is you’re working with, do your homework.  As a parent yourself, you must know other parents with children around the same age.  Ask your friends, neighbors, and pediatrician for recommendations.  Most parents are happy to rave about good experiences.  They typically won’t shy away from bad experience antidotes either.  Another great resource is the internet.  Okay, this one might seem obvious and scary at the same time so be sure to use your discretion.  The internet is a great place for communities to grow and flourish, so don’t be surprised if you find a lot of great resources that help guide you in making your decision.  Look out for mass amounts of complaints, health or safety violations and other types of issues.    

Finally, visit your top choices!  You can learn a lot about a preschool from a quick visit and tour.  You’ll know right away if a staff member rubs you the wrong way, or if you don’t feel welcome there that this isn’t the right choice for you.  It’s also important to bring your child with you!  How are they reacting to the environment?  Does the staff seem inviting to them?  Look around at the children there and gauge their temperaments.  Make sure you are prepared with questions as well.  It’s important to understand what the staff turnover is like, how they discipline children who misbehave and what payment options and procedures are.     

The most important thing to remember is that you should trust your instincts. Instincts are what parents are known for most so use them to your advantage!

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Do you have any tips for choosing a preschool? Please let us know in the comments!