Reply to Overwhelmed with preschool choices--NoVA

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[quote=Anonymous]I'm a first time mom who is also a SAHM.  I'm looking into preschools for next year and starting to take tours.  However, there are so many options.  How do I narrow it down?  I don't know any other  moms with older kids who are in preschool (most are in daycare), so I have no one to ask about preschools.

I have made a list of 10 preschools that I have scheduled tours with.  But I feel like I need to see more/learn about more.  I also don't really know what I should be looking for.  For example, this year my daughter and I are doing a Mommy and Me program at a preschool.  However, I have decided not to send her there next year.  I like the school overall but the other mothers are not friendly, and there is no opportunity to volunteer in the classroom.  I also don't like the playground, and the preschool classrooms are not decorated very nicely with few toys, and the toys they have are really old/falling apart.  There are also not enough social events at the preschool.

Here are the considerations that are most important to me:
-Co-op environment or active PTA where I can get involved/lots of opportunities to meet other moms and find a sense of community within the preschool
-Lots of social events for parents/families
-Experienced teachers 
-Low teacher to student ratio, preferably as low as possible
-Warm, caring environment
-Nice playground space
-Bright classrooms with lots of toys (so many preschools I have toured have such depressing, dingy classrooms and not many toys.)
-Opportunities for music, art, etc.
-Bonus if they provide lunch
-Non-religious

Can anyone suggest other factors I should be considering?  Distance from my house is not a factor.  I'm willing to drive up to 30 min. each way.

We live near Old Town Fairfax.

Thanks!
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