How to Choose a Preschool

Many parents of toddlers will soon be asking themselves whether they should enroll their children in preschool or wait for kindergarten to begin their educational journey.

The evidence we’ve seen shows children who go to preschool reap the rewards for years to come in terms of literacy and mathematics. Better yet, children are given the opportunity to develop socially. In this blog, we’ll cover what preschool is, answer some questions you may have and provide what to look for in a good preschool and lastly a few things to watch out for.

What Is Preschool? 

A preschool also known as pre-K or nursery school is a facility where parents voluntarily send their children to get a head start on kindergarten. Because they’re not mandatory, the majority of preschools are private organizations that parents will need to seek out, choose, and pay for themselves. 

Why Preschool is Important

Preschool offers a chance for children to accelerate their social and cognitive development while also getting off to a stronger start for kindergarten. Kindergarten readiness has been associated with better performance throughout a student’s entire education. 

The Centers for Disease Control even suggests that early childhood education such as preschool can lead to better lifelong employment, income, and health. 

Are preschools accredited schools?

Preschools don’t require any accreditation to operate. In business and legal terms, preschools are treated as child care centers in most states and need a childcare license to operate. 

Specific types of preschools like Montessori schools might be granted accreditation from an organization certifying the school meets Montessori standards. However, this accreditation is not mandatory to be in business.

Preschool Age Requirements

Each preschool can set its own age requirement, but on average children must be three years old to attend. 

Many parents find that three years old is the ideal age to send their child to preschool as it’s the age where children stop being as prone to separation anxiety and can develop relationships with other children. It also happens to be the age where most children are potty trained, a requirement for many preschools for admission. 

When Should Parents Apply

Once you’ve chosen a preschool, it’s likely other parents have their eye on the same one. As a result, the most popular preschools have long waiting lists and you might need to apply before your child even reaches the required age. Reach out to the preschool you select well in advance to find out about their waiting list and application deadline. 

How Much Does Preschool Cost

The cost of preschool can vary by type and location. If you live in a high-cost-of-living area, as you might expect, the cost of preschool will be on average higher than if you live in a lower cost-of-living area. That being said, there are still wide variances in tuition costs within a single area based on how sought-after the school is and its reputation. 

So how much does preschool cost on average? According to the World Population Review, the average cost of childcare ranges from $5,436 in Mississippi to $20,913 per year in Massachusetts, with childcare costs in the rest of the states falling somewhere in between. 

In addition to Mississippi, some other states on the lower end of the range for childcare costs include Alabama, Kentucky, South Dakota, Arkansas, and South Carolina. On the opposite end of the range, some of the most expensive states for preschool include California, Minnesota, Connecticut, New York, Maryland, Colorado, Washington, and Virginia.

1. Preschool Philosophies

There are different types of preschool based on different teaching philosophies so get familiar and decide which one best aligns with your priorities. Some of the most popular ones in the US are Montessori, Waldorf, Reggio Emilia, project-based, high/scope, and bank street.

Even if you like a preschool’s purported philosophy, it’s still a good idea to talk to administrators about their practices and how they align with said philosophy and even observe activities if possible. Remember that most preschools are not governed by any organization which would judge their adherence to teaching philosophies. 

2. Positive and Caring Teachers Who Create a Joyful Classroom Environment

There are a few things you can look out for when observing class activities. Since preschool is more beneficial for social and cognitive development than strictly academic development, activities should be student-centered. Do teachers ask questions of the students? Do they praise students and encourage them to learn? These are positive signs you’ll want to look for in a good preschool. Anyone can simply lecture. 

3. Well-Developed Curriculum

Ask about the curriculum and if it focuses on teaching early literacy skills and at what age. Does their approach seem right for you and your child? Some children want to learn to read and will look at words or print trying to figure it out on their own. Other children aren’t as naturally interested and will retreat if pushed too hard. An ideal program can make all children feel successful while putting them on the path to literacy. 

4. Teacher Training (Post high-school education) 

While not an absolute guarantee, a leading indicator to the quality of care and instruction is the credentials of the teachers. The best preschools’ teachers normally possess university degrees in early childhood education or a related field that addresses the developmental needs of preschool children^​​.

5. Children are Handled with Patience and Discipline is Positive

Ask the school for a clear explanation of their discipline policy. All preschoolers are developing self-regulation and social skills. They need help to learn social rules and the words to express frustration.

Good teachers should practice positive discipline. In many circumstances, this means they should practice teaching and explaining to children rather than simply punishing them. And under no circumstances should a preschool physically discipline children. Low-quality preschools may actually worsen a child’s behavior so it is important to choose carefully. 

6. Adequate Time for Free Play

It’s easy to stay focused on the educational aspects of preschool only and feel that the more learning per day that’s going on the better, but you’ll actually want to make sure the preschool you choose provides adequate time for free play. Play is essential to development because it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children and youth. 

In fact, the UN Convention on Human Rights of the Child says “Play is so important to optimal child development that it’s been recognized by the United Nations as a basic right of every child.” 

Extra Precautions and Considerations

While we’re discussing what to look for in a good preschool, it’s important to also know what kind of red flags you should be aware of. 

Ask for Advice or Referrals

Discuss the preschool you’re considering, its teaching philosophy and other vital criteria with your pediatrician, close friends, and relatives who may have sent their children there. Also take the opportunity to ask what preschool these trusted figures in your life sent their children to if it wasn’t already on your radar. 

Try to Speak to Other Parents

An additional place you can look to for advice is from other parents who have their children enrolled in the preschool you’re looking at or had their children enrolled there in the past. 

You might want to prepare some specific questions as what constitutes quality to them may be different from yourself. 

Verify the Preschool’s License is Valid

Preschools, as childcare facilities, need to meet certain safety criteria to obtain their license. If the preschool’s license has lapsed, you cannot be sure that they currently meet the required safety standards and it will be best to look elsewhere. 

Ask about Teacher Retention

Teaching young children is a difficult job. A high rate of teacher retention might be a sign of a school that’s well run behind the scenes with teachers that are paid well and feel supported. 

On the other hand, a high rate of turnover can be a sign of multiple problems within the school.

Drop-in for an Unannounced Visit

Schools are well aware of what most parents are looking for and can take special care that the preschool at hand appears to match up to parents’ needs and preferences. For a more honest picture, you can try to pay them an unannounced visit to see if the quality of the demeanor of the teachers and quality of lessons still holds up. 

Wrap Up

How you choose a preschool will ultimately be reliant on your preferences and goals. Certain philosophies might focus more on social development while others are focused more on literacy and preparation for kindergarten. It’ll be up to you to weigh that out along with judging the quality of the preschool, the teachers and its reputation.