Choosing a preschool is one of the first big decisions you make for your child’s education. It can feel like a lot of pressure, especially when you’re standing in a hallway trying to think of the right things to say. Having a clear list of questions before you walk through the door makes the whole process much easier. It helps you compare schools fairly and figure out which one is actually the right fit for your family.
This post covers 15 questions worth asking when you visit a preschool. I’ve also included a free printable you can bring with you to your walkthroughs. We’ll go through what to think about before you go, what to ask while you’re there, and what to look for while you observe the space.
Before you go: get clear on what you want
Before you book your walkthroughs, take a few minutes to think about what you actually want from a preschool. What matters most to you? A strong academic foundation, lots of outdoor play, a particular teaching philosophy, or proximity to home? Knowing your own priorities makes it much easier to evaluate what you see and hear during each visit.
It also helps to think about your child specifically. Do they need a quieter environment? Do they thrive with lots of social interaction? Are there any health or developmental needs the school will need to support? The clearer you are going in, the more useful each visit will be.
If you want more context before you start visiting schools, my posts on when kids start preschool and why preschool matters are good places to start.
Free printable: questions to ask when choosing a preschool
I put together a free printable you can take with you to each visit. It covers all the questions in this post so you don’t have to rely on memory in the moment. You can find it in the PDF below or through my Teachers Pay Teachers store.
Questions about the program
Is the school licensed?
This is a straightforward yes or no question, but it matters. Licensing means the school meets your state or province’s basic health and safety requirements. If a school can’t show you its license, contact your local social services department to confirm their status before moving forward.
What is the student-to-teacher ratio?
Legal requirements vary by location, so it’s worth asking what the ratio is at this specific school. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention for each child. If your child has an allocated support worker due to exceptional needs, ask whether that support can be accommodated within the program.
What is the average class size?
Class size affects how much attention each child receives and how the classroom feels day to day. A smaller class can mean a calmer, more focused environment, while a larger group may suit a child who thrives in a social setting. There’s no universal right answer, but it’s useful information to have.
What does a typical day look like?
Ask to see a sample schedule. Pay attention to how much time is set aside for play, outdoor time, structured learning, and transitions. Young children need movement and unstructured time, but a strong program also builds in intentional learning throughout the day. Some activities that look like free play are actually planned with specific developmental goals in mind. If you’re not sure, just ask.
Knowing the daily routine also helps you prepare your child for what to expect. The more familiar they are with the structure before they start, the easier the transition tends to be. If you’re working on building routines at home, my post on toddler schedules has some practical ideas.
Are children grouped by age or mixed across ages?
Some schools place children with peers at the same developmental stage, which can make curriculum planning easier. Others use mixed-age groupings, where older children and younger ones learn alongside each other. Mixed-age settings can support mentorship, cooperation, and social development in ways that same-age groupings sometimes don’t. Neither approach is automatically better, but it’s worth knowing which model the school uses and why.
Do children have time for both group and independent learning?
A balanced program gives children space to work on their own as well as alongside others. Both kinds of learning build different skills. Independent time supports focus and self-direction, while group time builds communication and cooperation. Ask how the school structures both throughout the day.
Questions about the teaching team
What training and credentials do the teachers have?
Early childhood education requires specific knowledge and skills. Ask whether the teachers hold formal credentials in early childhood education or a related field. Also ask whether staff are trained in basic first aid. Experience matters too, but the right training is the foundation.
How long has the teaching staff been at this school?
Staff turnover can affect the stability and consistency of a program. A team that has worked together for several years often has strong routines and a cohesive approach. High turnover isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker, but it’s worth understanding the context.
What is the school’s educational philosophy?
This question gets at how the school approaches learning. Is it Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, play-based, or a more traditional academic model? Some schools are faith-based. Each approach has its own strengths, and the best fit depends on your child and your own values. Ask about the curriculum here too if the teacher doesn’t address it directly. If you want to read more about different approaches, my post on Montessori vs. traditional education covers some of the key differences.
Questions about routines and expectations
What are the drop-off and pick-up policies?
Find out exactly how drop-off and pick-up work, including what happens if you’re running late. Make sure you understand who is authorized to pick up your child and how the school verifies that. Give them the names of other trusted adults in case you can’t make it one day.
What are the school hours?
This seems obvious, but it’s important to confirm that the hours actually work with your schedule before you fall in love with a school. Ask about early drop-off or late pick-up options if your schedule requires flexibility.
Does my child need to be potty trained?
Many preschools require children to be out of diapers before they can attend. If your child is still working on this, it’s better to know early. Some programs have more flexibility than others. If you’re still in the middle of potty training, my post on the best potty training books for parents has some helpful resources.
How does the school handle food and snacks?
Ask whether the school provides snacks or whether children bring their own. If snacks are provided, find out what kinds of foods are typically offered. If your child has food allergies or specific dietary needs, make sure the school can accommodate them safely. Some schools have restrictions on what children can bring from home, so it’s worth getting clarity on this upfront.
How does the staff handle discipline?
This is one of the most important questions on the list. You want to know that the school uses age-appropriate, respectful approaches when children have conflicts or behavioral challenges. Ask for specific examples of how they handle common situations. The answer will tell you a lot about the overall culture of the school.
A few more questions worth asking
Is there a summer program?
If you need care or programming through the summer, ask now. Some schools run summer camps or seasonal programs. Spots can fill up early, so it’s useful to know your options before you need them.
What does parental involvement look like?
Some schools welcome parents into the classroom regularly. Others have a clear boundary between school time and home time. If being involved in the day-to-day life of the classroom matters to you, ask how the school approaches that. You may also want to know about events, fundraisers, or volunteer opportunities the school organizes throughout the year.
What to observe during your walkthrough
The answers to your questions matter, but so does what you observe with your own eyes. Walk through the space with intention. Picture your child spending their mornings there. Does the environment feel calm, safe, and engaging? Can you see them being comfortable and curious in that space?
Watch how the staff interacts with children during your visit. Notice how they respond to conflict, transitions, and requests for help. The adult-to-child ratio you observe should reflect the number you were quoted. Look at the outdoor space too. Is the equipment well maintained? Are children supervised appropriately?
Pay attention to how the staff seem to feel about their work. Teachers who are engaged and present make a real difference in how children experience their days. If the energy in the building feels tense or flat, that’s worth noting.
If you have the chance, talk to other parents who use the school. Their day-to-day experience with drop-offs, communication, and the teaching team will give you a perspective that no walkthrough can fully replicate.
After your visits
Once you’ve visited a few schools, give yourself a day or two before making a final decision. Let the impressions settle. Compare your notes from each visit and think about which school came closest to what you were looking for before you started. Trust your read on the people you met, not just the answers they gave you.
Choosing a preschool is a big step, and there’s no perfectly right answer. Every family’s priorities are different, and the best school for your child is the one that fits your family’s actual needs. Going in with good questions gives you the information you need to make that call with confidence.
Leave a Reply