If you’re privileged enough in America to be able to send your twins (or just one child) to an out of pocket paid daycare or school- choosing the right establishment is one of the most important decisions you can make as a parent.
The environment and teachers can significant impact your child’s emotional, social, and cognitive development.
So, how do you know what’s best?
In this guide, I’ll break down how we come the best preschool for our twins, what factors we considered, and how we essentially made the hard decision.
Why Choosing the Right Daycare or School Matters
Whether you’re searching for a daycare for your baby or a preschool for your toddler, the quality of care and education your child gets from a young age can set the tone for lifelong learning and behavior. This is your “village” and the people who will help raise your child- this is a big deal!
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Daycare or School
1. Location Location Location
In an ideal world, the daycare/school would be close to your home or work. Long commutes can put stress on both the parent and the child. You also want it to be convenient to get to. Keep in mind you’ll be making frequent trips there. From getting the “your kid is sick” call, to school events, you want to make sure the location makes sense.
2. Curriculum and Philosophy
Is the school play-based, Montessori, or more academically focused? Consider your own child/children’s learning style and what environment they’ll thrive in.
Questions to ask:
- What is the daily class schedule?
- How is learning measured?
- Are there other enrichment programs like dance, music, etc?
- What does discipline look like?
- How does the school handle illnesses?
4. Teacher Qualifications and Turnover
These are the people who are around your child the most. You’ll want to inquire about:
- Staff credentials and certifications
- Staff-to-child ratios
- Teacher turnover rate (low turnover usually means a better environment)
- Does the school rotate teachers? Or does one teacher stay with the class every day?
5. Safety and Cleanliness
Tour the facility and keep a close eye on:
- How clean the bathrooms and classrooms are.
- What are the security measures? How do you sign your kids in/out? Are there alarms on the doors to prevent kids escaping?
- Emergency preparedness (fire drills, first aid)
6. Parent Communication and Involvement
Every school is different, but you’ll want to keep a list on what is important to you.
- Do you want daily updates?
- Are there regular parent-teacher conferences? If not, are there opportunities to speak to your kids teacher?
- Are there any family events?
- Is there a live streamed camera?
- Can you get pictures sent multiple times a day?
7. Cost
Daycare and preschools can be quite expensive- especially if you have multiple kids enrolling. Set an absolute maximum on what you’re able to spend on schooling and take into consideration:
- Tuition and registration fees
- Meal and supply costs
- Before/after school care costs
8. Religious Beliefs
- Do you want a school that matches your religious beliefs?
- Is this even a priority to you?
- How does the school incorporate religion and academics?
Red Flags to Watch Out For
- Unclear policies or lack of transparency
- High teacher turnover
- Negative online reviews
- Dirty or seemingly unsafe facilities
- Lack of personal connection with the staff.
How to Make the Final Decision
Step 1: Do Your Research
Search online, join Facebook groups, ask neighbors, etc.
Step 2: Schedule Tours
Visit as many schools as you can. Ask all of the questions. Don’t let them rush or pressure you into making a decision. Bring your child/children to the tours with you as possible to get their reaction to the school.
Step 3: Trust Your Gut
I cannot say this enough. We put our twins in a school we had a bad gut feeling about and they only lasted two days. Nothing “bad” happened, but it just wasn’t a good fit for us.
