How to Choose a Preschool or Childcare Program

The options

• Childcare centers and family child care homes (care in a provider's home, often with mixed ages). Both are licensed in most states; rules vary.
• Preschool and pre-K programs, part-day or full-day, private or public. Many states offer free or low-cost public pre-K for 4-year-olds, and some for 3-year-olds.
• Head Start, free for families who qualify by income or circumstances, with health and family support built in.
• Nannies, shares, relatives and co-ops. Grandparent and family care is common and valuable; see the grandparents guide.
• Approaches like play-based, Montessori, Reggio-inspired or academic. Research favors warm, responsive teachers and lots of play over any single label. See the Montessori at home guide.

What quality looks like

• Warm, responsive adults who get down at children's level, talk with them and know each child.
• Small groups and good ratios. National standards suggest roughly one adult for every 7 to 8 three-year-olds and every 8 to 10 four- and five-year-olds, with small group sizes. Check your state's rules.
• Stable staff. Ask how long teachers have been there.
• Lots of play, including daily outdoor time, books, art and pretend play, with little or no screen time.
• Clear health and safety practices: handwashing, a safe-sleep policy for any babies, secure pick-up, allergy and medicine plans, and staff trained in first aid and CPR.
• Open doors. Parents welcome to visit, with regular updates.

Questions to ask on a visit

• Are you licensed or accredited? Can I see your latest inspection report? (Many states post these online.)
• What are the ratios and group sizes in my child's room?
• How do you handle biting, hitting and big feelings? Look for teaching, not shaming or isolation.
• What does a typical day look like? How long is rest time?
• How do you support children who are learning English, have disabilities or need extra help?
• How do you handle toilet training, food and naps?
• What are your vaccine and sick-child policies?
• How do you share information with both homes, foster parents or other caregivers?

Watch and trust your gut

• Spend time in the room. Do children seem busy and relaxed? Are adults calm and kind?
• Notice how teachers respond to a crying child.
• Ask other families about their experience.

Paying for it

• Childcare costs are a major strain for many families. Look into state subsidies, public pre-K, Head Start, sliding-scale programs, employer benefits and dependent-care tax credits. Your state's childcare resource and referral agency can help you find options.

After you choose

• Plan a gradual start if you can, with short days at first. See the separation anxiety and childcare guide.
• Expect more colds in the first year of group care. It usually settles.
• Keep talking with teachers, and revisit the choice if it isn't working.

When to check in

• Raise it with the director right away if you see unsafe practices, harsh discipline, or your child becomes very fearful of going.
• If you suspect abuse or neglect, report it to your state licensing agency or child protective services. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911.