How Do You Choose the Best Preschool for Your Family?

Understanding What to Look for in a Quality Early Childhood Education Program

Choosing a preschool is one of the most meaningful decisions a family makes. With so many childcare and preschool options available, knowing what actually separates a great program from an average one can feel overwhelming. The right preschool does more than provide supervised care during the day. It gives children a safe, nurturing environment where they can develop academically, socially, and emotionally during the years that matter most for brain development and lifelong learning.

This guide walks through what the research identifies as the most important factors to evaluate, the questions worth asking on every tour, and what a genuinely high-quality program looks like in practice.

Why Preschool Choice Matters

The preschool years are a critical window for brain development. Research consistently shows that high-quality early childhood education has a lasting impact on early literacy, social-emotional skills, kindergarten readiness, and long-term academic outcomes. Children who participate in strong programs during these years enter elementary school more confident, more curious, and better equipped to handle the social and academic demands ahead.

The choice is not just about where a child spends their days. It is about the environment that shapes how they learn, relate to others, and see themselves as learners.

What to Look for When Choosing a Preschool

Not all preschool programs are created equal. Here are the factors that matter most when comparing childcare and preschool options.

1. A Safe and Secure Environment

Safety is the first thing families should evaluate when touring any childcare center. Look for secure entry systems, visible supervision throughout the building, clean and well-maintained classrooms, and staff who are trained in CPR and first aid.

Beyond physical safety, pay attention to the emotional tone of the environment. A quality preschool should feel welcoming and calm, with clear daily routines that give children a sense of predictability and security.

2. A Research-Based Curriculum

Ask every preschool you visit what curriculum they use and how it supports early childhood development. A strong early learning program goes beyond general activities and intentionally builds skills across multiple areas of development at once.

Look for programs that develop:

• Early literacy and language skills
• Foundational math concepts and problem-solving
• Social-emotional learning and self-regulation
• Physical wellness and daily movement
• Creativity and critical thinking through hands-on exploration

If a program cannot clearly articulate its curriculum and how it connects to child development research, that is worth noting.

3. Qualified and Caring Teachers

Teachers are the heart of any great preschool. Look for educators who are trained in early childhood development, genuinely engaged with the children in their care, and committed to building warm, consistent relationships with both students and families.

Low student-to-teacher ratios are also a strong indicator of quality. Smaller class sizes allow teachers to give each child the individual attention and responsive caregiving that the research identifies as essential for healthy development.

4. A Whole-Child Approach to Development

The best preschool programs recognize that children grow in every direction at once. Academics matter, but so does social-emotional development, physical activity, and overall well-being. Look for programs that intentionally support all areas of development together, rather than narrowing the focus to letters and numbers alone.

Children who develop strong emotional regulation, communication skills, and physical health alongside their academic foundations are better prepared for kindergarten and better equipped for everything that follows.

5. Nutrition and Wellness as Part of the Program

What children eat during the school day directly affects their ability to focus, learn, and grow. Families should ask whether a preschool provides nutritious meals and snacks as part of tuition, and whether mealtime is treated as an educational opportunity to build healthy habits, independence, and social skills.

For families with infants, ask specifically about feeding support. Quality infant programs should offer formula options and accommodate individual feeding schedules, recognizing that nutrition in the earliest months is as foundational as anything else the program provides.

A program that treats meals as a meaningful part of the daily experience, rather than just a break in the schedule, reflects a genuine commitment to whole-child care.

6. Clear Family Communication and Partnership

A great preschool treats families as partners. Look for programs that provide regular updates on your child’s progress, maintain open lines of communication, and make families feel genuinely welcomed and informed. The transition into preschool is a significant moment for families as well as children, and the best programs recognize that.

Questions to Ask During a Preschool Tour

Touring a school in person is the single best way to evaluate whether it is the right fit. Here are the questions worth asking at every visit:

• What curriculum do you use, and how does it support kindergarten readiness?
• What is the teacher-to-child ratio in each classroom, and how is it maintained throughout the day?
• How do you communicate with families throughout the week?
• What does a typical daily schedule look like for my child’s age group?
• Are nutritious meals and snacks included in tuition?
• For infant programs: what feeding options and formula choices are available?
• How do you support children who are transitioning into the program for the first time?

Pay attention not only to the answers but to how the staff makes you feel during the visit. Warmth, transparency, and genuine engagement with your questions are signals of a program that will treat your family the same way once enrollment begins.

What Children of America Offers Your Family

At Children of America, every program is designed to meet the standard families are searching for. Our Mind and Body Matters curriculum is a research-based approach that nurtures intellectual, social-emotional, and physical development together, built around four signature programs that work across every area of a child’s growth:

STAR Curriculum — A structured, thematic academic program that builds foundational knowledge in math, literacy, science, and social studies while encouraging curiosity and confidence.

Presidential Fitness Program — Daily movement and exercise routines that develop gross and fine motor skills, balance, coordination, and body awareness through games and skill-building activities.

Just Read Program — A character-driven literacy program led by COA mascot Bentley, featuring custom-written books that build listening comprehension, imagination, and a genuine love of reading.

Apple A Day Nutrition Program — Family-style meals that teach children healthy food choices, self-help skills, and positive social interactions around the table. Nutritious meals and snacks are included as part of tuition every day, so families never need to worry about whether their child is fed and ready to learn. For our youngest learners in the infant program, formula options are also available, because we know that feeding support in those first months is as important as anything else we offer.

Every family that chooses Children of America also receives:

• Age-appropriate classrooms and learning experiences for infants through school-age children
• Social-emotional learning that builds confidence, communication, and positive relationships
• Daily physical activity and wellness programming to encourage healthy habits
• Summer Camp featuring weekly themes, outdoor play, and hands-on projects with the same safety standards as our school-year programs

 

Preschool Cost Should Not Be the Deciding Factor

We know that cost is a real and stressful part of this decision for many families. It should not be the thing that keeps a child out of a program that is genuinely right for them.

That is why Children of America will price match any large chain childcare provider within 30% of our tuition rates. We believe families should be able to choose a program based on quality, safety, curriculum, and the relationships their child will build, not based on which option is cheapest. By removing the pressure of price comparison with franchise competitors, we hope families can focus their energy on finding the environment where their child will truly thrive.

Preschool and Kindergarten Readiness

One of the most valuable things a quality preschool provides is a confident, prepared path to kindergarten. Children who enter elementary school with strong early learning foundations are not just academically ready. They know how to follow routines, work alongside others, manage their feelings, and advocate for themselves. That social and emotional readiness matters as much as knowing their letters and numbers.

Look for a preschool that prepares children for this transition intentionally, across every area of development, not just the academic ones.

Find the Right Preschool for Your Family

The best way to know whether a program is the right fit is to experience it in person. Click the Find A School button in the top right corner of the Children of America website to search for a location near you and schedule a tour. Meet the teachers, explore the classrooms, and see the environment where your child can grow, learn, and thrive.