Frequently Asked Questions about Preschools in NYC

With the purpose of familiarizing parents with the importance of preschools and aiding them in making an informed decision regarding their child’s education, we have attempted to address some of the frequently asked queries to serve a clear understanding of preschools in NYC.

Is Preschool Necessary?

A wealth of research and data is available that highlights the importance of early childhood education for children in laying the foundation for learning and knowledge in elementary school and beyond.

Preschools not only introduce children to the structured environment of the school, but also provide the opportunity to interact and play with other children which inculcates important social and motor skills in them.

Moreover, preschools prepare children for the academic demands of kindergarten by organizing engaging games and activities that help children acquire pre-math and literacy skills.

According to the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER), children attending high-quality preschool enter kindergarten with better pre-reading skills, richer vocabularies and stronger basic math skills compared to students who skipped this essential stage.

How to Select the Right Preschool in NYC?

In order to secure the right preschool for their child, parents are recommended to start the selection process at least 9 months or a year before the planned admission.

The first step is to create a list of preschools in NYC that conform to the daily schedules of parents. It is suggested to take important factors like distance and transportation into consideration when preparing the list.

Parents can also evaluate the extra-curricular activities and educational philosophies of different preschools to narrow down their list. Some popular educational philosophies of preschools in NYC are the Montessori, Waldorf, Bank Street and Reggio Emilia approach.

However, a teacher-guided approach is the preferred choice of most parents.

Once the parents have narrowed down their choices and selected two or three preschool settings they are interested in, it is time to schedule a visit to each setting. Visiting the preschools provides parents the opportunity to examine the environment and the daily routine of the preschool. Parents can also attend open house meetings organized by the preschools, and interact with teachers and other parents to seek recommendations before making the final decision.