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Besides the need for childcare while parents are at work, research shows that early education can help children learn foundational skills for reading and math, while developing self-control and social skills necessary for positive relationships. Helping kids build that foundation is one of the many benefits of finding a good childcare provider.
Yet, for families interested in preschool or daycare, figuring out where to start can be daunting. Childcare costs have risen dramatically since 2020, and securing a spot often means spending at least a few months on a waitlist (6 to 12 is common), even after the addition of 44 new childcare centers in King County over the last couple of years. Understanding how to find and evaluate your options is a good place to start.
Researching childcare centers and preschools
Childcare centers in Washington must comply with Department of Children, Youth and Families standards that include mandatory background checks, regular safety inspections and strict staff-to-child ratios. High-quality preschool programs go beyond these baseline requirements to provide children with warm and responsive relationships with educators, stimulating and developmentally appropriate curricula, and ongoing training for educators.
According to Harvard Graduate School of Education there are five signs that indicate a quality preschool:
- Adults talk to children in nurturing and encouraging ways.
- Teachers focus on teaching good behavior instead of punishing misbehavior.
- The classroom feels fun and joyful. Children learn through play.
- There is a lot of activity. Preschool children should not be expected to sit still for more than 15 minutes at a time.
- Staff are supported. Taking care of small children is hard, and children do not benefit from exhausted, unhappy caregivers.
Family considerations
Start by defining your family’s needs. Consider logistics like travel distance, operating hours and budget first. Learn about the differences among play-based, Montessori, Waldorf and academic-focused approaches and consider how suitable each might be for your child’s personality — and whether it matters to you. For many families, trust and connection with caregivers is more important than developmental theories.
Once you know what you’re looking for, start to build a list of potential preschools. Talk to your friends, neighbors and coworkers for recommendations based on their firsthand experiences with local preschools. Connect with Child Care Aware of Washington for free, personalized counseling for help finding open slots based on your location and budget.
Use the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families Child Care Check tool to verify that the preschools on your list are licensed providers and to discover their licensing history, any past violations and enrollment capacity. Read online reviews on independent websites to spot common complaints or praise.
Study each preschool’s website to see how they fit your budget and schedule. Look for how teacher-child ratios compare to regulatory minimums, class sizes, and find out where and how much time children spend outdoors playing. Many preschools post their handbook online, where you can review their policies on sick days, potty training requirements and discipline.
Attend an open house
Online research is great for gathering information, but a site visit is crucial to making your final decision. Warm, friendly caretakers may raise your opinion of a preschool with a lackluster website, while one that looks great on paper could feel entirely wrong in person. A preschool open house is a priceless opportunity to experience the environment, meet educators, explore learning spaces and gather the information you need to decide whether a program feels right for your family.
In some cases, you might schedule an individual tour of a preschool, but open houses are becoming more popular. The low-pressure atmosphere of an open house saves staff time and lets parents meet other families, so they can get a feel for the community and create an opportunity to start building their network right away.
Preparing to visit
The core benefit of joining an open house may be a “vibe check,” but a little preparation can help you feel more confident and make the most of your visit.
According to folks at Bright Horizons, families should plan ahead — not only should you be thinking about preschool well in advance of when your child needs to start, but many open houses require advance registration and can fill up quickly.
It’s easy to get distracted in the moment, so make a note reminding yourself what to look for and write down your questions ahead of time. It’s okay if some questions are already answered online because hearing how staff talk about important topics is also valuable.
Bright Horizons has some suggested questions to consider:
- The curriculum and approach to learning
- Teacher and director qualifications
- Daily schedules: When do children eat? What is the balance of free play, rest and structured learning?
- How teachers support children through behavioral challenges
- Enrichment activities and opportunities for family involvement
- How the school communicates with families generally and about students’ progress
- Availability of professional development opportunities, planning time and benefits for teachers
- Teacher turnover
During your visit
Your own impressions are as important as the answers you receive from staff. As you walk through the center, notice how each space makes you feel. Explore more than one classroom when possible. Seeing how learning environments change as children grow can give you a better understanding of the experience the center provides over time.
Ask yourself:
- Do classrooms feel welcoming and organized?
- Do children have access to books, art materials, building toys and other resources that encourage exploration?
- Are there areas where children can learn independently, collaborate in small groups and express their creativity?
After the open house
Take a few minutes to record your first impressions while the details are still fresh. Note what stood out, which questions were answered and whether the program aligned with your priorities. If you visit multiple centers, these notes can make it easier to compare options.
Finding the right preschool is a major decision for your family. An open house gives you the chance to look beyond program descriptions and consider where your child may feel comfortable, supported and excited to learn.
A little preparation turns an open house from a guessing game into a clear-eyed decision. When you walk in with your questions ready, you’ll walk out with more than a gut feeling — you’ll have the clarity to choose with confidence.
Editor’s note: This article was sponsored by the Bright Horizons.
