Current:Home > FinanceHow to pick the best preschool or child care center for your child -WealthRoots Academy
How to pick the best preschool or child care center for your child
View
Date:2025-04-12 13:42:00
Preschool options are growing with the expansion of early learning programs, giving families in some parts of the U.S. a dizzying array of choices.
Some states, like Colorado and New Mexico, are funneling state money into existing private preschools or child care centers. Others, like California, are expanding preschool through the public school system. Some cities are launching their own universal preschool programs. In the 2022-2023 school year, 35% of 4-year-olds and 7% of 3-year-olds were enrolled in public preschools — a record high.
The benefits of high-quality preschool are clear, research shows, and children from low-income households stand to gain the most. They are more prepared for kindergarten, which has grown increasingly academic, are less likely to need special education services and are less likely to have to repeat a grade. There are longer-term benefits, too. Adults who attended preschool are less likely to be incarcerated and are healthier than those who did not.
Preschool once was reserved mostly for families who could pay, or for families with low enough incomes to qualify for public programs. Now, hundreds of thousands of families have more options than before.
But how to pick the right one? Here are some things to consider when looking for a high-quality preschool.
Take a tour
This article is part of AP’s Be Well coverage, focusing on wellness, fitness, diet and mental health. Read more Be Well.
Grownups should take a tour of a preschool they’re considering — and keep an eye out for interactions between adults and children, the state of the facilities and other clues to the quality of the care.
In a high-quality preschool or child care center, teachers are engaged. “They are on the floor, they’re at tables, they are asking questions,” said Amanda Batts, who oversees quality assurance for the National Association for the Education of Young Children, which credentials preschools. “They’re engaging in co-inquiry with the children in their care.”
Red flags, Batts said, would include “disorganized learning spaces.” Preschools are inherently chaotic places, but classrooms should still be well-organized and clean, and children should have access to learning materials like toys and books.
Ask about teachers and curriculum
Parents should ask what the training requirements are for the educators, and how much they are paid, said Steven Barnett, head of the National Institute of Early Education Research. Many preschool teachers have bachelor’s degrees and teaching certifications similar to those required for teachers in K-12 schools. Many others have or are working toward a child development associate certificate. A CDA requires coursework, an exam, practicum hours and an observation, where teachers must show they can apply those lessons in the classroom.
Curriculum is important in preschool because it guides teachers in planning play-based learning activities. A high-quality preschool or child care center should be able to share its curriculum, Barnett said.
If a parent spots a worksheet on a tour, it could be a sign that the instruction is not developmentally appropriate, said Batts.
Instead, experts say preschools should heavily emphasize social-emotional learning — teaching kids how to interact with their peers and how to manage their emotions — along with learning their letters and numbers. Those peer interactions are best practiced through play.
Don’t worry much about fancy philosophies
Some preschools advertise they use a name-brand early education philosophy, often a European one like Montessori, Waldorf or Reggio Emilia.
Individual schools, however, vary widely on how closely they adhere to a particular approach, Barnett said. The most important thing is that a preschool has a cohesive learning plan, he said.
Outline your priorities
Families weigh multiple factors when choosing a preschool. Many parents are looking for a preschool where the hours align with their work schedules. And cost is obviously a consideration.
Batts encourages families to figure out their priorities and rank them, “so that you can find a place that’s going to meet – perhaps not all – but the most important priorities for your family.”
Find out if you qualify for assistance with costs
You might be surprised how many families qualify for free preschool or a child care subsidy.
Many places have recently expanded public preschool and programs to help families pay for privately run preschools and child care operations.
The federal government funds organizations that help people navigate their options or connect them with child care assistance. To find your local agency, Child Care Aware of America has a special search tool on their website.
“Every state is different, and in a lot of situations, the most helpful thing is to talk to someone who can assess your family’s individual situation,” said Anne Hedgepeth, chief of policy and advocacy at Child Care Aware of America.
Check licensing
Once you’ve narrowed down programs, check their licenses.
Licensing requirements differ from state to state, but they generally outline health, safety and staffing guidelines preschool and child care operations must meet. Many states have exemptions for certain types of preschools, like small, home-based programs. The Department of Health and Human Services has compiled information about licensing and registration of child care facilities for every state and territory.
Many states recognize child care centers that go beyond minimum licensing requirements. For instance, a preschool may require additional staff training or outline efforts to engage with parents. In Alabama, private preschools and child care operations can be awarded stars based on their curriculum, training requirements and level of engagement with families.
The National Association for the Education of Young Children also accredits child care centers and preschools, but many high-quality centers don’t pursue that credential.
___
The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
veryGood! (97382)
Related
- Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
- Sam Asghari Shares Insight Into His Amazing New Chapter
- School culture wars push students to form banned book clubs, anti-censorship groups
- Brazil’s President Lula back at official residence to recover from hip replacement surgery
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- Fed’s Powell gets an earful about inflation and interest rates from small businesses
- Bad Bunny and Kendall Jenner heat up dating rumors with joint Gucci campaign
- Disney+ is cracking down on password sharing in Canada. Is the US next?
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- Joseph Baena Channels Dad Arnold Schwarzenegger While Competing in His First Triathlon
Ranking
- The Grammy nominee you need to hear: Esperanza Spalding
- Malaysians urged not to panic-buy local rice after import prices for the staple rise substantially
- Brain surgery left TOKiMONSTA unable to understand music. Now every song is precious
- All We Want for Christmas Is to Go to Mariah Carey's New Tour: All the Concert Details
- New data highlights 'achievement gap' for students in the US
- US Rep. Matt Gaetz’s father Don seeks return to Florida Senate chamber he once led as its president
- UK Treasury chief says he’ll hike the minimum wage but rules out tax cuts while inflation stays high
- MLB playoffs 2023: One question for all 12 teams in baseball's postseason
Recommendation
The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
Cambodian court bars environmental activists from traveling to Sweden to receive ‘Alternative Nobel’
Stevie Nicks enters the Barbie zeitgeist with her own doll: 'They helped her have my soul'
Zendaya Steals the Show at Louis Vuitton's Paris Fashion Week Event
Google unveils a quantum chip. Could it help unlock the universe's deepest secrets?
'Carterland' puts a positive spin on an oft-disparaged presidency
'Reclaimed: The Forgotten League' takes a look into the history of the Negro Leagues
It's don't let the stars beat you season! Four pivotal players for MLB's wild-card series