How do you know if a preschool/school is good if you don’t know anyone who attends?

[Anonymous]

We just moved to a new town and with covid we’re truly flying blind - doing virtual interviews and virtual tours. We don’t know anyone with kids yet much less anyone attending our three top choice preschools (two of which go thru 8th grade).

How do we choose for September?

[Anonymous]

Do you belong a local group? Either on Facebook or Nextdoor, I see a lot of people who post saying they are new in town and ask for recommendations.

[Anonymous]

Ask the schools for info of parents who are willing to be contacted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ask the schools for info of parents who are willing to be contacted.

+1. Do not go on online reviews like yelp or great schools as they seem to attract only disgruntled parents.

[Anonymous]

That’s hard because typically you would get a feel for the school during a tour.

Definitely ask online—there are Facebook groups for most neighborhoods, so join your own and ask!

[Anonymous]

The cost. Is it one of the more expensive preschools? It is probably one of the better options.

[Anonymous]

I look at the licensing reports to start. If they have few violations (even minor ones) it at least speaks to the administration's attention to detail and management skills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I look at the licensing reports to start. If they have few violations (even minor ones) it at least speaks to the administration's attention to detail and management skills.

NP WHere can I find licensing reports on schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I look at the licensing reports to start. If they have few violations (even minor ones) it at least speaks to the administration's attention to detail and management skills.

NP WHere can I find licensing reports on schools?

In Maryland at least, if they have a child care program (e.g. preschool or extended day) they should have a licensing record for those programs on https://www.checkccmd.org/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ask the schools for info of parents who are willing to be contacted.

+1. Do not go on online reviews like yelp or great schools as they seem to attract only disgruntled parents.

You think the school is going to give them access to anyone who seems less than thrilled with their experience?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I look at the licensing reports to start. If they have few violations (even minor ones) it at least speaks to the administration's attention to detail and management skills.

NP WHere can I find licensing reports on schools?

In Maryland at least, if they have a child care program (e.g. preschool or extended day) they should have a licensing record for those programs on https://www.checkccmd.org/

I checked my daycare on there and it hasn't been checked in 18 months!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ask the schools for info of parents who are willing to be contacted.

+1. Do not go on online reviews like yelp or great schools as they seem to attract only disgruntled parents.

You think the school is going to give them access to anyone who seems less than thrilled with their experience?

DP I mean don't just go by online ratings or take referrals from the school at face value. Actually read the online reviews and actually talk to the people the school refers you to. Ask them what they like and what they don't like. Ask the school about turnover (the good ones brag about how long their teachers have been there, the bad ones hem and haw and say turnover is inevitable).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I look at the licensing reports to start. If they have few violations (even minor ones) it at least speaks to the administration's attention to detail and management skills.

NP WHere can I find licensing reports on schools?

In Maryland at least, if they have a child care program (e.g. preschool or extended day) they should have a licensing record for those programs on https://www.checkccmd.org/

I checked my daycare on there and it hasn't been checked in 18 months!

Yeah ours doesn't look like it got an inspection in 2020 either. Not surprising given the pandemic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I look at the licensing reports to start. If they have few violations (even minor ones) it at least speaks to the administration's attention to detail and management skills.

NP WHere can I find licensing reports on schools?

In Maryland at least, if they have a child care program (e.g. preschool or extended day) they should have a licensing record for those programs on https://www.checkccmd.org/

I checked my daycare on there and it hasn't been checked in 18 months!

Yeah ours doesn't look like it got an inspection in 2020 either. Not surprising given the pandemic.

It's still surprising to me. It seems ESSENTIAL that the state does its inspections.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I look at the licensing reports to start. If they have few violations (even minor ones) it at least speaks to the administration's attention to detail and management skills.

NP WHere can I find licensing reports on schools?

In Maryland at least, if they have a child care program (e.g. preschool or extended day) they should have a licensing record for those programs on https://www.checkccmd.org/

I checked my daycare on there and it hasn't been checked in 18 months!

Yeah ours doesn't look like it got an inspection in 2020 either. Not surprising given the pandemic.

It's still surprising to me. It seems ESSENTIAL that the state does its inspections.

Adding that it's even more essential because they aren't allowing parents inside.