Have you been on the hunt for a great preschool? You may have noticed that there are many different types of preschools, and it can be overwhelming to compare them all. In addition to this, the COVID pandemic has made it stressful to send our children to a preschool with peace of mind. In this article, I break down the 6 most popular preschool types in the U.S. to help you determine which program is best for your family. The 6 most popular preschool types in the U.S. are the following (in no particular order).
Each program has its strengths and certain qualities that meet the needs of different children. Let’s take a closer look at each program, and determine which is best for you.
Image by Raw Pixel
Montessori
Montessori is an Italian-based program that was founded by Dr. Maria Montessori in 1906. The program was built on the belief that children learn best when they guide their learning experience. The Montessori classroom promotes self-confidence, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence.
Teacher Credentials. Montessori preschools require a Montessori teaching credential before being allowed to teach in a classroom.
Ratios & Class Size. Montessori classroom size and ratios vary by environment. The Montessori Method is used in various early learning environments, including as not-for-profit, for-profit, faith-based, home-based and school districts.
Cost. Montessori preschools can be expensive. However, there have been recent efforts to increase access to Montessori preschool programs for all.
Search here to find a Montessori preschool near you.
Preschool Franchise
A preschool franchise is a center that operates under the branding of a corporation. Each preschool franchise is different and operates according to corporate guidelines. Curriculum, classroom structure, and teaching philosophy vary across preschool franchises.
Teacher Credentials. While teacher credentials vary by franchise, most programs require the minimum teaching credential, and some only require a high school diploma.
Ratios & Class Size. Most franchises use ratios enforced by state regulations, which are typically high. Franchises typically have large class sizes.
Cost. Most preschool franchises are reasonably priced for working parents.
Search here to find a preschool franchise near you.
Image by Raw Pixel
Parent Cooperative
A parent cooperative (or parent co-op) preschool consists of parents serving as teachers in a learning environment along with trained teachers. In a parent co-op, parents volunteer in the classroom on a rotating schedule each school year. Parents typically volunteer 1-3 times each month for an entire school day (usually lasting 3-4 hours). The curriculum and teaching philosophy varies across parent co-ops.
Teacher Credentials. Teachers are required to have the minimum teacher credential. Some programs require a Bachelor’s degree.
Ratios & Class Size. Ratios and class size are typically low in parent co-ops.
Cost. Parent co-ops are priced very low due to the small need for paid staff.
Search here to find a parent co-op preschool near you.
Home-Based
Home-based preschools consist of children learning inside of a provider’s home. An area of the home is used to replicate a preschool learning environment, and the provider serves as the teacher and owner. All materials that you would normally see in a center-based program can be found in the home. This preschool type has become more popular during the pandemic, as it provides more solitude and less exposure to the COVID virus.
Teacher Credentials. Most home-based providers are required to have the minimum teaching credential if they are registered with their state’s child care licensing office.
Ratios & Class Size. Ratios and class sizes are typically low in home-based preschools.
Cost. Most home-based preschools are priced lower than center-based preschools.
Search here to find a home-based preschool near you.
Image by Raw Pixel
faith-Based
Faith-based preschools incorporate a certain faith or religious belief into every aspect of learning. The students may engage in prayer, sing faith-based songs, and/or attend group worship on a regular basis. The faith-based learning environment reflects a typical preschool classroom. Faith-based preschools vary on curriculum choice, with many incorporating the Montessori principles.
Teacher Credentials. Most faith-based preschool teachers are required to have the minimum teaching credential.
Ratios & Class Size. Ratios and class size vary across faith-based preschools.
Cost. Most faith-based preschools are reasonably priced for working parents.
Search here to find a faith-based preschool near you.
Nonprofits
The mission of nonprofit preschools is to serve their surrounding communities by providing quality learning experiences for all children at a very low price. Curriculum and teaching philosophy vary across nonprofit preschools, as they typically partner with other programs and receive government or private funding. The most popular nonprofit preschool program in the U.S. is Head Start.
Teacher Credentials. Most nonprofit preschool teachers are required to have the minimum teaching credential. Some nonprofit preschools only require a high school diploma.
Ratios & Class Size. Ratios and class size vary across nonprofit preschools.
Cost. Nonprofit preschools are typically priced very low or have no cost.
Search here to find a nonprofit preschool near you.
Image by Raw Pixel
Which Preschool Type Is Best For You?
When choosing a preschool, there are certain factors that should be considered. If you are nervous about the presence of COVID in preschool programs, it may be beneficial to choose a program with low ratios and small class sizes.
Remember that as a parent, you have the ultimate choice of which preschool type works best for you and your child. If you need assistance with comparing preschools for your family, I can help! Schedule a free consultation to get started.
