The Spark journal · Choosing a Program
How to choose a preschool.
Seven things to look for, and the questions that help you see beyond the brochure.
Look for the everyday details.
You know what helps your child feel comfortable and curious. A visit can show you how a school makes room for both.
Teachers who keep learning.
Ask about the educators’ training, experience and ongoing professional learning. Find out who shapes the curriculum.
Ask for a specific example
How has the team’s learning changed something in the classroom? Credentials are useful context; watching teachers respond to children adds another part of the picture. Meet Dr. Michelle Peterson.
Play with room to grow.
Look for children making choices, exploring materials and talking with teachers who help extend their thinking.
Look inside the daily rhythm
Ask how the day balances child-chosen play, teacher-guided experiences, movement and rest. A block bridge can invite counting, planning and conversation. Ask what teachers notice and how they build on it. Explore purposeful play at Spark.
A group where your child is known.
Ask for both the adult-to-child ratio and the maximum class size—not just an average.
Ask how staffing works
Find out how staffing changes during arrival, breaks and absences. Notice whether adults can respond when several children need help. A number alone cannot describe the quality of those interactions.
Support through hard moments.
Listen for calm limits, connection and help practicing a skill. Your child should be treated with dignity when they struggle.
Talk through a real situation
Ask what a teacher would do when two children want the same toy, or when a child needs help joining the group. At Spark, behavior is communication: adults look for the need and support the next step. Read our family FAQ.
A conversation with your family.
Find out how teachers share the day, listen to your questions and work with you when your child needs support.
Make communication concrete
Ask what updates look like, when you can speak with a teacher and how the school collaborates with outside providers. Share the language, routines and relationships that matter to your family.
A space children can explore.
Notice accessible materials, places for different kinds of play and adults who help children use the space safely.
Look beyond the decoration
Ask how materials change with children’s interests and learning. A familiar room can support meaningful exploration; monthly redecorating is not a quality test. Notice what children actually do in the space.
An invitation to ask.
Bring your questions, ask about observing a class and leave time to discuss your own child’s needs.
Follow up on anything unclear
Ask for clear explanations of staffing, learning, communication and behavior policies. If something worries you, discuss it with the program leader. Take time to compare what you hear with what you observe.
For another perspective, see NAEYC’s guide to a high-quality preschool, which describes caring relationships, responsive teaching and family partnerships.
Ten questions to bring along.
Use these as a conversation starter. There is room for your family’s questions, too.
Open the tour checklist
- What education and experience does the person guiding your curriculum have?
- Can you walk me through a day, from arrival to pickup?
- What are the adult-to-child ratio and maximum class size?
- What do teachers do first when a child is struggling?
- How do you adapt learning for an individual child?
- What enrichment experiences happen during the week?
- How will I hear about my child’s day and progress?
- How do you collaborate with a child’s outside support providers?
- How do classroom materials evolve as children learn?
- Can I observe a class during a visit?
Also ask about tuition, schedules and policies so you can plan the practical side of your decision.
A small step toward the first day.
Practice a familiar morning together with the free Morning Routine Sample on Payhip.
For more support, explore the parent guide and printable toolkit.
Come see a morning at Spark.
Meet the teachers, explore the classrooms and bring your questions.