Here are some tips that could help you choose the right preschool for your child:

1. Know your goals.

What do you hope your child would get out of the preschool experience? Is it learning their ABCs and 1,2,3s? Learning to socialise with other children? Adapting to a more structured routine? What you’re hoping your child to achieve at a preschool plays a big role in determining which one is right for you and your child. 

2. Make a list of your priorities.

Is it important that the preschool is located close to your home or work?What about the programmes offered? How important are factors like class size and cost? What about food options? What kind of approach (such as Montessori, Waldorf, play-based, faith-based, and child-centred) would you prefer?

It might be tough to find a preschool that checks all the boxes, so you may decide which ones are deal-breakers for you.

3. Seek out personal recommendations and feedback.

Friends and family can provide valuable insight into a preschool’s general reputation in the community. You can also seek out feedback from parents with children currently enrolled in the preschool. Ask them for their honest opinion which may help you decide on the best preschool for your child.

4. Visit the preschool.

There’s only so much you can learn through a website or over the phone. Visiting a preschool gives you a much better sense of the way it operates, and if it will be a good fit for your child. If possible, visit when children are present so you can see the site in action. Make observations and ask questions about the preschool. Do you have any safety concerns? What are the qualifications of the teachers and staff? Is the preschool welcoming?

5. Consider your child’s unique needs.

Every child is different, and some preschools are better equipped to handle those differences than others.Consider what kind of environment your child will need to thrive, and seek out a preschool that’s a good match for your child’s development.

6. Don’t wait.

Depending on your location, preschool waiting lists can get long. There’s nothing worse than finding the perfect one and then realising it is full and there are no spaces available for your child.

7. Consider if home preschooling is right for you.

There are parents who decide to handle preschooling on their own, either because they’re planning on homeschooling or just because they feel it’s best for their child at this particular time. If you think this route might work for you and your child, there are plenty of online resources to give you ideas and inspiration. 

8. Trust your gut.

In the end, weighing the pros and cons of deciding on a preschool comes down to what feels right to you and your family. If a specific preschool looks great on paper but just doesn’t feel right to you, consider other options. If another option doesn’t meet every single criteria and yet makes you and your child feel comfortable, then it’s probably the right one. 

Share with us your experience in deciding on a preschool for your child. We’d love to hear from you!