Preschool Near Me: How to Choose the Right Preschool for Your Child

As of 2021, it’s estimated that 40% of three-year-olds and 69% of four-year-olds attend preschool.

The time a child spends in preschool is very influential and prepares them for kindergarten; it makes the transition much more manageable. As a parent, it’s important that you choose the best preschool for your child. If you’re overwhelmed with the number of options that come up when you search “preschool near me”, you’ve come to the right place.

This article is going to give you a few tips that will help you with your search. Continue reading so you know what to look for when you visit a preschool.

Interview the Staff

Before you pick a preschool, you should take the time to meet the staff. This includes more than just the person who is going to be in charge of your child’s class. You should talk to the administration and other teachers that may act as a substitute.

If the school gives you the opportunity to observe a class that’s even better. The staff should all be trained and care about children.

One question that can be informative is asking an administrator about turnover rates. You want your child to be taught by a staff that loves what they do. An institution that treats its teachers right will likely treat your child well, too.

Ask About Safety Plans

It’s crucial for every preschool to have a safety plan in place. Below are a few examples of questions, you may want to ask the staff before making your final choice.

How does the staff plan to handle a medical emergency?
What is the education route if there is a fire?
Is there on-campus security?

Consider the Curriculum

The curriculum for a preschool class is going to be different than a kindergarten curriculum. The teacher should have goals for each day and they should be appropriate for the age group.

There should be a lot of hands-on activities that allow the children to have creative freedom. The classroom should be stocked with books, arts and crafts, and musical instruments. All these materials and activities should be preparing them for continuing education in the future.

Communication Is Key

When you’re looking for a “preschool near me” it’s important to consider how the teachers and admin communicate. Communication can make your break your experience at a preschool.

There are a number of different ways a teacher may choose to communicate with the parents. You can typically expect newsletters, emails, and monthly calendars.

Be sure to ask about individual parent communication, too. There isn’t a right or wrong way to communicate; the main point is that they have a system set up to keep in touch with you.