At every level in the care and education of children, parents are better prepared to make good decisions when they are informed about the options. Finding Quality Childcare is helpful guide for child care choices. However, there are very few guides for decisions about preschool selection. Finding a preschool that fits parents’ needs, budgets, and schedules can be challenging, and parents need to know what to look for to ensure their child is receiving top-quality instruction and care. The National Institute Early for Education Research has compiled a List of Top 10 Pre-K Questions designed to assist parents as they search for the best setting for their children.

• Can I visit the classroom?

Make an appointment to visit a classroom and spend time as an observer. Look for safe spaces where children are engaged in activities and seem happy. Are the adults caring, sensitive, and responsive to the children’s needs? Are they involved in the children’s projects? Is there time for outdoor and indoor play and quiet time?

• Is there a curriculum and how well is it implemented?

Look for a proven curriculum model within which teachers make a plan for each day and individualize teaching for each child. Play with teachers involved should be a big part of the day. The curriculum model should cover the social/emotional development, motor development, cognition and general knowledge, and learning and language development.

• What are the Teachers’ Qualifications?

Your child should be assigned a teacher with a 4-year degree and specialized training in child development and early childhood education. Annual in-service requirements and continuing training should be in place.

• How much are your teachers paid?

This will take some research on parents’ part, but they should look for salaries that are comparable to what Kindergarten and first grade teachers in public and private schools earn.

• What is the turnover rate for your teachers and assistant teachers?

Look for low turnover rates and teachers and assistants who have been at the school for years.

• What are the assistant teachers’ qualifications?

Ideally, teaching assistants should have the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or college-level coursework in pre-K.

• What are the staff-child ratios? How many children are in the classes?

Classes must have at least 1 teacher for each 10 children, and should have fewer than 20 students.

• What are the procedures for assessing learning difficulties and other problems, like speech and hearing?

Parents will want to know also whether teachers know how to work with children who have special problems, and whether parents are involved. Parents should check to see if the school offers health, sensory, and cognitive screening, access to consultants, and opportunities for parent conferences.

• What about meals and snacks?

Parents should look for programs that are concerned about child nutrition and healthy eating habits and that provide nutritious foods.

• Is there routine monitoring for program quality?

Finally, parents should ascertain whether there is a monitoring system in place to ensure that quality standards are being met. Is the program accredited by a national early childhood organization? Is staff evaluated continuously?

While these guidelines are excellent starting points for evaluating the quality of a preschool, simply visiting the school and observing the practices in place may provide invaluable information about the quality of education that is offered.