Many thoughts cross your mind when you think of preschool. You might wonder if your child will be in the right environment. Fortunately, research has shown that preschools have a whole host of benefits for children. In 2015, 87% of 5-year-old children attended preschools. It is in these schools where children get an educational foundation in more ways than one.

One of the biggest advantages of attending preschool is that it helps your child develop emotional and social skills. Not sure how to pick the right school? Here are some questions to ask yourself when you're choosing a preschool for your child.

Is this school licensed and accredited?

When you are looking for the best preschools for your child, this is a crucial question. Some of the best preschools do not go through the accreditation process. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) hosts a respected accreditation program due to its comprehensive nature. Therefore, if a preschool has passed the accreditation program, then you can rest assured that the school has met the highest standards of education and safety.

What are the teachers' qualifications like?

Teacher qualifications differ from one state to the other. Therefore, when checking out preschools, you should request the preschool administrator to tell you about the teachers’ training. Some of the best preschools only hire teachers who have degrees in early childhood education. Other schools may employ teachers who have a wide variety of experience and educational credits.

Will this school meet the needs of your family?

The preschool you're looking at might be popular in your town, but if it does not meet the needs of your family, you should think about choosing a different school. Choose a school whose work hours are in sync with your schedule. You should also consider other issues such as costs, location, and times of the year when the school operates. For example, if you need a summer program for your kids you should look into schools that can offer that.

You should also ask if the school offers lunch or snacks. If it does, you should look into the nutritional value of the food offered there.

Preschool is important for young children. It prepares your child for more intensive academic work in elementary schools. Research shows that students who attend preschool are better in basic mathematics, have better reading skills, and use a richer vocabulary.