Let’s face it—parents have enough on their plates without needing to stress over which childcare center their precious babes are going to attend. With so many big brand options and small businesses around, even a quick “preschool near me” search can feel overwhelming. We at The Breakie Bunch Learning Center are here to help you see why choosing a local daycare or preschool is the best option for you.
Why Finding the Perfect Preschool Matters
For your little ones, preschool is more than just a childcare option during the work week—it’s actually a crucial space for their childhood development. A safe and nurturing environment is the key to your baby’s emotional growth, communication styles, and overall socialization. Finding a daycare that uses a well-proven curriculum and is staffed with top-tier teachers is vital for your child’s academic future.
What is the Difference Between Daycare and Preschool?
The next time you look up “preschool near me,” make sure the center you’re checking out offers the type of childcare you require. Daycare is a less-structured form of childcare that caters to younger children, similar to our toddler childcare program, offering extended hours and year-round operation to help accommodate working guardians and parents. Preschools, on the other hand, are open during regular weekday hours, focusing on education and prepping each pupil for kindergarten.
3 Reasons You Should Choose a Local Childcare Facility
We understand you have plenty of options when it comes to finding preschools near you. Before you go with the chain names in your area, consider looking into locally owned childcare options and experience these reasons they’re so loved for yourself:
1. Local Preschools Are More Community-Focused
Local childcare facilities prioritize community! If they have the resources, these preschools often focus on building relationships between parents, educators, and families to give everyone involved a sense of belonging.
Since all the students likely live in the same area, the odds that they will all attend kindergarten, elementary school, and beyond with the peers they met in daycare and preschool are high. This makes the transition from daycare to school easier when the time comes.
2. Local Daycare Makes Your Everyday Schedule Easier
Whether you’re a working or stay-at-home parent, it’s important to think about the logistics of each preschool near you. If you choose a childcare center local to your home or office, your family will be able to minimize your commute and have more wiggle room on busy days when it comes to pick-up and drop-off times. If convenience matters to you, consider mapping out the distance of each potential preschool and daycare in your area.
3. Local Daycares Offer More Personalized Attention
Local daycares and preschools often have smaller class sizes, allowing teachers to tailor their approach to each child’s individual learning styles and needs. Going above and beyond the state-required teacher-to-student ratio is often not a thing at big brand facilities, even though it has proven significant in a student’s education.
Important Questions to Ask Potential Local Childcare Centers
When you’re looking up “preschools near me,” don’t just go with the first one you find; reach out and ask about these important childcare considerations to determine if it’s the right fit for you and your family:
- What types of licenses and certifications does your establishment require of teachers?
- What’s the level of family involvement in and out of the classroom?
- What’s the overall cost per semester or year?
- Does this center use a Montessori, Waldorf, or Reggio Emilia approach?
- What subjects are covered in this curriculum?
Googling “preschool near me” will only get you so far. Contact, research, and tour the local childcare options in your area before you make your choice. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for more info from The Breakie Bunch – we’re happy to help!