Essential Questions to Ask when Choosing a Preschool

Art Easel

If your child is at that stage where preschool is in the very near future, it may be a good idea to start planning now in terms of choosing which school is best for them.  


We found a great article from American Baby that helps parents with a few tips and essential questions they should ask when visiting schools or looking at programs.  

1. What is the turnover rate for teachers?

Early-childhood program teacher turnover rate is very high…and not surprisingly, this can take a toll. According to American Baby, “research shows that kids who've had several preschool teachers have a harder time adjusting to school than children with a single teacher”.  Mid-year teacher replacements should happen infrequently and be an exception to the school.

2. What is the normal class size?

How many kids an individual teacher can handle will vary from school to school.  National guidelines generally suggest a 1:6 ratio for 2 year olds (with a max class size of 12) and a 1:10 ratio for 3 to 5 year olds (with a max class size of 20).

3. What’s a typical day for the kids?

This is a great question to ask because you want to know how your child’s day is structured and what they are doing.  A good preschool program will include time set aside for exploration, free play, and peer interaction.  Depending on  how your child responds to a strict schedule or free-time can help you decide between varying programs.

4. How do they do discipline?

Expert Diane Trister Dodge, coauthor of Preschool for Parents and a Washington, DC-based preschool curriculum designer warns to beware of the “time-out corner”.  Children need to learn how to work out their problems rather than be isolated from them.  Good teachers will be able to deflect problems before they become conflicts.

5. Go with your gut.

You know best what works for your child and what learning environment they thrive in.  If your child responds to structure, a pre-school that has a set schedule with assigned activities is probably best.  If your child enjoys free-time playing on their own, a looser schedule may be better suited for them.  Look to your instincts when you’re deciding between two schools or are unsure of one program over another.