Can a Good Preschool Lead to Future Success?

Exactly how important is preschool? Seriously, does enrollment in a good preschool guarantee a great education? Does it prepare the student to somehow take in and retain information better? Will a quality preschool education guarantee a person a successful career?

Or is preschool just another status symbol in our "keeping up with the Jones" society?

Recently, parents in Houston camped out for three days all for a coveted spot in a preschool.

One mother was quoted as saying "The statistics of the kids coming out of the school is well above average." What statistics? How do they know it's the benefit of the preschool and not some other education or outside experience the child had?

My children weren't even one when someone asked me what preschools I had put them on waiting lists for. My children couldn't even talk, I hadn't thought of preschools yet. And waiting lists? I thought those were something for college not preschool.

I was totally flabbergasted. I was a new mom. Did I really need to be thinking of preschool already?

To be honest, I don't even remember if I attend preschool myself. Did you? Are we any better or worse for that experience or lack of it?

Yes, I know times have changed and the education system is not like it was when I was a kid (which, for the record, wasn't that long ago!).

Today, I went to an open house for a preschool for my children (they will be three by the time classes start in September). I chose this preschool because it was recommended to me by a friend who had sent both of her children there. Both of her children seem to be well adjusted, intelligent kids for 4 and 6 year olds. The one who has started school seems to have made the transition with ease. Does that make this a great preschool? I don't know.

My husband was unable to come with me because the kids were sick and beforehand we were discussing what I should look for and ask about? The brochure covered the basics - costs, days of the week, hours, class size.

Besides the basic safety questions, what else do I ask? Is there one way of teaching numbers, colors and shapes that is so much better than another? Isn't the point of preschool to slowing introduce the concept of a classroom setting and to socialize with others that age?

Besides price, safety and the quality of teachers, what makes one preschool better than another?

In fact, do you really think that preschool can impact a child's future education and career?