What Does It Mean When a Parent Searches for a ‘Preschool Near Me?’
Today, we can find just about anything and everything we want online. That includes a ‘preschool near me.’ However, before you jump out there and sign your kiddo up with the first listing you get on Google, Bing, Yahoo! (is that even still going?), or any other search engine, we’d like to caution you about a few things.
First, pay attention to the paid ads.
When you receive a listing from a ‘preschool near me’ search, you will find a bunch of links. Many different websites, no matter which engine you use. At the top of most (anywhere between three and five, on average) could be paid ads.
That means a preschool will have put in to pay the search engine a specific amount for each ‘click’ they receive, so their name gets placed at the top. These are not organic listings, but paid ones.
So, while you enter ‘preschool near me’ and the search engine’s sophisticated algorithms sort the organic listings by proximity to your location, the ones at the top, the ones that will say ‘Ad’ somewhere, showing they are paid positions, may not be anywhere near you in reality.
So, while you click on that link and are taken to their website, you may discover they are located somewhere quite a bit farther away from you than you’d prefer.
Also, when you see those paid ads, you won’t know anything about them. Just because they are listed at the top of the page does not mean they are the best. Some might very well be decent preschools and some might actually be close to you, but you do need to be aware of how they are presented when the preschool is paying for placement.
Second, consider their reputation.
Most parents, when they begin searching for a ‘preschool near me’ probably either have no idea they aren’t all the same or assume there must be a good one nearby. While that might be true, not all preschools are worth enrolling your child in.
Make sure you research the preschool’s reputation. You can do this online, most of the time. Depending on the preschool, for example, if their business is registered with Google Business, for example (a free service for those that want to be listed in Maps and other online searches), you can read reviews (if parents have done so for them).
Be aware that some business can be deceptive. They can use employees, friends, and some others to write fake reviews about them. What you’ll want to do, though, is to look at some of the positive reviews and a few of the negative ones. This should give you an idea about what to expect with that particular preschool.
You may also be able to ask friends or other parents in your community what preschools they chose or would recommend. When it comes to welfare and benefit (and education) of our children, we tend to be very discerning, so you should be able to get a good read on which ones are worth checking out.
Third, take a tour.
While COVID has changed a lot of things with regard to what preschools offer as far as tours are concerned, you should be able to still see what the facility offers, what kind of system they have in place, and even the education they will offer your kiddo.
Take advantage of these tours when offered. Even if they are virtual (online), do them. This is one of the best ways for you to truly know what your child will be getting as it pertains to preschool.
Besides, when you are able to take a tour in person, you will also know if the location is good enough, considering you searched for a ‘preschool near me’, which led you to this blog.
Now, what should you look for when you take a tour? Let’s consider this.
1. Consider the safety protocols.
During your tour, you will be able to see just what kind of safety protocols the preschool has in place. This will help you feel better about sending your child to their campus everyday (or help you realize this isn’t for you).
2. Speak to the teachers.
It’s not just the administrators who matter. In fact, teachers are the most valuable resource in preschools. Take advantage of the opportunities to speak to them.
3. Check out the ‘extras.’
Here, we’re referring to the outdoor play areas, art rooms, and other areas of interest (remember, areas of interest for kiddos). These can tell a lot about a preschool’s investment in children and their future.
If you want to know the best ‘preschool near me,’ simply turn to KLA Schools of Naperville or Plainfield. You simply won’t go wrong with either of these choices.
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