How to Choose a Preschool: A Tour Checklist Parents Can Trust

Quick answer: How to Choose the Best Preschool Near You

If you’re searching “preschool near me” or “pre-k near me”, you’re not just looking for a building with openings. You’re looking for a place where your child will feel safe, seen, and excited to learn. In the last few months, those “near me” searches have stayed highly competitive, which means the campuses that win are the ones that communicate trust and clarity fast.

The moment most parents realize this is a bigger decision than they expected

It usually happens on a Tuesday night.

You finally sit down after bedtime, open 12 tabs, and think: “Okay… what do I even compare?” Every preschool promises nurturing teachers. Every site has smiling kids. And the closer you get to scheduling tours, the more you want to make the “right” decision.

This guide is designed to help you cut through the noise with a simple tour checklist. Bring it with you. Use it to compare schools side by side. And if you’re touring an Ivybrook Academy campus, these are the exact questions that reveal what makes our approach distinct: a half-day preschool model paired with a blended philosophy that integrates Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Multiple Intelligences.

A parent’s tour checklist: 9 questions that tell you almost everything

1) “What does a typical morning feel like for a child?”

Listen for specifics, not a script. You want to hear about:

• child choice and independence
• small-group collaboration
• hands-on learning stations
• a calm, purposeful rhythm (not chaos, not rigid)

At Ivybrook, our curriculum is intentionally designed around child-centered learning with Montessori and Reggio-inspired experiences, adapted to the needs of each child.

2) “How do you support social-emotional growth?”

This is a strong predictor of kindergarten readiness and long-term school success. Great programs can explain how they help children:

• handle frustration
• solve peer conflict
• practice empathy and repair
• build confidence speaking in a group

Our model explicitly includes social-emotional growth as a core part of the experience, not an “extra.”

3) “How do you teach independence?”

Independence is not just “my child can put on a jacket.” In strong early childhood environments, it looks like:

• children choosing meaningful work
• completing multi-step tasks
• persisting through challenge
• managing transitions with increasing confidence

Independence and self-direction are central outcomes of the Montessori side of our blended approach.

4) “How do you personalize learning if children develop at different rates?”

Every parent asks about reading. Fewer parents ask about what happens when a child is ahead in one area and still developing in another (which is most children).

Look for language like:

• observation-based planning
• individualized pathways
• documented growth over time

At Ivybrook, we emphasize individualized learning plans built from observation and customized assessment.

5) “How do you communicate a child’s progress to families?”

Ask what you will see and receive:

• examples of student work
• notes on skill-building
• conference rhythm
• how they partner with you when challenges appear

The school-family relationship is a partnership, and the family connection and consistency is vital for a child’s success.

6) “How do you balance learning and play?”

This is where competitors often blur together in marketing language.

A strong answer includes:

• purposeful play (not free-for-all)
• hands-on materials
• projects that connect literacy, math, science, and the arts
• time for creativity and exploration

We provide a blended model that pairs Montessori independence with Reggio collaboration and creativity.

7) “What does ‘kindergarten readiness’ mean here?”

If the answer is only academics, it’s incomplete.

A more complete answer includes:

• attention and follow-through
• listening and group participation
• emotional regulation
• curiosity and problem-solving

Research on early readiness consistently includes these broader “whole child” factors, not just early literacy and numeracy. If you’re looking for information on preschool readiness, you can find that here.

8) “Why half-day?”

For many families, half-day is the difference between a child thriving and a child burning out.

If a school offers half-day, ask what they believe the benefit is. Ivybrook has published directly about why a half-day preschool model aligns with children’s developmental rhythms and supports family connection and unstructured play outside of school.

9) “What do you want children to feel when they leave each day?”

This question reveals the heart of a campus.

Strong answers sound like:

• “capable”
• “curious”
• “proud”
• “safe to try again”

That emotional imprint matters. It becomes the child’s relationship with learning.

Why Ivybrook stands out in a crowded market

If you are comparing large national brands, many will feel polished and consistent. Ivybrook’s difference is philosophical and practical:

• Blended curriculum integrating Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Multiple Intelligences

• Individualized learning guided by observation and customized assessment

• Half-day model designed around children’s energy, focus, and family rhythms

Frequently Asked Questions From Families

What’s the difference between daycare and preschool?
Daycare usually covers full-day care needs. Preschool is typically more education-focused with intentional learning experiences. Ivybrook is a half-day preschool model.

What should I search if I’m trying to find openings?
Parents often use “preschool near me,” “pre-k near me,” and “best preschool near me.” Those high-intent searches remain common.

What if my child is shy?
Ask how teachers support gradual participation, peer connection, and confidence-building without forcing performance.

Ready to Experience Ivybrook Academy?

If you’re searching for a program built around independence, creativity, and confident learners, schedule a tour with Ivybrook Academy. Tours are where the difference becomes obvious.