How to Choose the Best Preschool for Your Child

"The most useful tool out there for families about to embark on the search for a preschool!"

--Helen Cohen, director, Frances Jacobson Early Childhood Center, Boston

A must-have for parents of future preschoolers

Starting preschool is one of the biggest milestones in a child's life. With this comprehensive, step-by-step guide, you won't have to navigate the preschool process alone. Whether the nursery schools nearby enroll every child, or they're so competitive that they only accept a few applicants, this book has everything you need to know to choose and get into the right preschool for your child. You'll learn:

• How to find high-quality preschools in your area
• Insight into popular preschool programs (Montessori, Waldorf, play based, cooperative)
• Key criteria to consider when choosing a preschool
• Strategies for paying for preschool (financial aid, tax benefits)
• How to help prepare your child for the first day of preschool
• Advice for gaining admission into competitive programs, including getting off the waiting list, submitting a strong application, and preparing for a child assessment

"This well-organized, comprehensive book will help parents navigate the world of preschool."

--Nancy Schulman and Ellen Birnbaum, authors of Practical Wisdom for Parents: Raising Self-Confident Children in the Preschool Years and directors of the 92nd Street Y Nursery School, New York

"A gift to every parent starting the preschool search."

--Irene Byrne, MA, author of Preschools by the Bay and executive director of the Phoebe Hearst Preschool, San Francisco