It's not a secret that early education is an essential part of placing children on the path to future success and happiness. Actually, a recent study by The Perry Preschool Project showed that preschool graduates are more likely to graduate from high school, commit less crimes, and hold higher earning jobs. There are many advantages to pre-K education, including learning new skills and social interaction. For parents, the question is not if they should sign their child up for a pre-K program. It's which is the best preschool out of all their available options?

Families that live in bigger cities have a lot of preschool choices. Choosing the best pre-K school is no easy selection. To help out, here are three effective tips for choosing the top-rated preschool for your child:

Referrals

Talking to people you know who have been through this process already is one of the best choices that you can make. They will provide you with valuable information about teachers, cost, location, structure, and teaching curriculum. A few casual conversations can help you gather a few names of pre-K schools that you can focus on.

Check Ranking Websites

Do a Google search for "top-rated preschools in (your area)" and you'll likely find two result categories: specific preschools and ranking websites. These websites will lead you to reviews and rankings for a number of different preschools in your local area. We're not saying you should go with whatever pre-K school the site ranks #1. But you will find some information to make the choice easier.

Take a Tour

Before you make your choice, visiting a few top-rated preschools is a must. This gives you the chance to meet with the teachers, ask questions, look at classrooms, and see if it meets your criteria. First, call to make sure you visit at a time that works best for both parties.

With these three steps, selecting the best early education option is much easier.

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