8 Factors to Consider When Picking a Preschool

By Kate Stahl

My first preschool search for my now 5-year-old daughter wasn't exactly thorough. My criteria was very simple: I wanted a traditional preschool program that would take my non-potty-trained 2-year-old. I found exactly one (3 seems to be the more common age to start preschool in my suburban-Chicago area). It was fairly close to our home and the price was a fraction of what my city friends paid, so I toured it, thought the director seemed super nice (plus, I loved her shoes — as I said, I wasn't overthinking anything), and, bam, we were registered.

Despite my lazy mom approach to preschool, I was lucky. The school ended up being fantastic, my daughter absolutely loved attending for three years, and she was more prepared for kindergarten than I could have hoped. I still keep in contact with some of her old teachers, and, selfishly, I met some really great mom friends during pick up and drop off. It was preschool nirvana, and I didn't really even try to find it.

Unfortunately, my 2-year-old son's first year of preschool next year coincides with my daughter's old school changing locations, pricing, and times, which is pretty much the trifecta of moms' preschool priorities. Also, now that I'm a early education vet, I've realized there is a lot more to consider when picking a preschool than the coolness of the director's footwear. Here's are some of the factors you should weigh when picking your tot's first school.

  1. Location. Even the best preschool on the planet is going to become a drag if it's too far from home, especially considering that most programs only last for two or three hours. If, like most moms, you plan to use the time your child is in school to run errands, clean, or catch up on Bravo shows, you'll appreciate a shorter commute.
  2. Day and time options. I loved that my daughter's school didn't meet on Fridays because it allowed us to take longer weekend trips, but I found the Monday-Thursday schedule a little odd. Take into consideration what days would work best for you, even if it's just to make your favorite Pilates class or sit through your weekly conference call without background noise.
  3. Hours of operation. My daughter's preschool's two-and-a-half hour schedule, while typical, began to feel very short by her third year of preschool (like seriously, didn't I just drop her off?), and with a full, seven-hour day of kindergarten looming ahead, I worried whether she had built up enough school stamina. A lot of my friends' kids attend four-hour preschool (usually 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and including lunch) and both the kids and moms seem to love it. Figure out what works for your family.
  4. Price. Preschool pricing has a huge range. As a suburbanite, I paid less than $200 a month a two-day, five-hour per week program, while friends in big cities paid a high four- or five-digit yearly tuition for the same schedule. Shop around and make sure you're comfortable that you and your child are getting what you're paying for.
  5. Teacher education and dedication. In many states, preschool teachers are not required to have a teaching license or an education degree (in Illinois, for example, preschools are overseen by the Department of Child and Family Services, not the Board of Education). If teacher education is important to you, be sure to ask about it. Also, consider asking about how long the teachers have been at the school. Longevity can mean a more stable school.
  6. Facilities. You'll definitely want to tour the school before you register your child. Look at the classrooms to check out the cleanliness and toys/books/art supplies, and ask to see where the kids go for free play. Some preschools have outdoor play areas, while others might use a large gym or auditorium.
  7. School-day structure. Most preschoolers aren't up for an intensely structured educational program, but schools will vary in terms of how much of the "day" is spent on free play versus a precise learning plan. You know whether your kid thrives better with structure, so find a program that fits.
  8. Mom-friend potential. This one is totally selfish, but preschool pick up and drop off can be long and crazy. It's so much more fun if you have mom friends who laugh with you through the madness. If you have a lot of friends in your area, ask where they send their kids, or scope out cool moms at the park/gym/play group and ask for their preschool suggestions. The more info you have, the better preschool experience for you and your child.