Children in the US usually start preschool at around age 3, but some programs have a waiting list, so you are right to be looking into this now. Call your local elementary school, social service agencies, and churches and make a list of the programs they tell you about. Check into each program and ask what license they have and what credentials their teachers have. Ask what schedule the children follow to make sure it allows for both structured and unstructured activities (children learn best through play). Observe a class in progress. After you have chosen a program, plan to volunteer a little time in the classroom so you can see firsthand what your child is experiencing. Don’t over-look the Head Start program. Although they are income-qualified, they sometimes accept over-income families for a variety of reasons, and they have excellent programs in many areas.

Cost varies a great deal, so you will have to ask about that when you contact the programs in your area. Head Start is free but most other programs charge a fee.

Pre-school is a privately owned center, think “daycare”, they may or may not include educational curriculum beginning at an earlier age (2-5 yrs) to also help prepare your child. These centers do have a tuition, usually more the younger your child is. I would say 120-150 per week. Hope this helps!

Start by calling and setting up appointments to visit. Talk to other parents and see what their opinions and experiences are.

RE:
Pre-School vs Pre-K…whats the differnce?
my daughter is 2 & 1/2 yrs and i have start thinking about school for her. Ppl talk about pre-k and pre-school …whats the difference ?? How should I go about surveying schools…calling/visiting/ some other approach ?? How much tuition is it usually ?

Our public schools do not have any program in place prior to kindergarten. I think in this area people call it pre-k for the 4 or 5 year old to make them like the sound of it better.

it is going left becaus the right wheel is higher