4 Tips for Choosing a Preschool

It can be difficult to leave your child at preschool for the first time. With these tips, however, you can take out some of the sting with the knowledge that you've chosen a high-quality school for your child!


1. Determine Your Values

Is there any particular reason that you're sending your child to preschool? If you want them to get a good start academically, you'll want to choose a preschool with an emphasis on education. If you're hoping to socialize them before kindergarten, find a preschool that offers plenty of playtime and group learning.

2. Do Your Research

This is absolutely essential when it comes to choosing a preschool. You don't want to entrust your child to a shady organization that's gotten a lot of citations and health violations over the years. Do some digging into the school and ask yourself the following questions:

- How long have they been in business?

- Are they certified, licensed or affiliated with anyone in the childcare industry?

- Do they have good reviews from other parents?


3. Stay Close

You don't want to drive an hour every morning to take your child to preschool. Not only will they be fussy during such a long commute, but you'll also be out of range during an emergency. Do yourself a favor and stick to your neighborhood when it comes to schools. Plug something like "preschool near me" into a search engine.

4. Ask About The Future

How are you going to gauge if your child is doing well in your chosen preschool? Will the school send out progress reports? Will they schedule meet-and-greets for parents, kids and educators? Can you actually monitor lessons and playtime through a webcam? Don't be afraid to ask about your options. A little planning today can make all of the difference tomorrow.

These are just a few tips for choosing a good preschool. There are many other things to consider, including the safety of the building and the quality of the staff, but these ideas should be enough to get you thinking in the right directions!