You can't understate the importance of early education. According to a study by The Perry Preschool Project, preschool graduates are less likely to commit crimes, are more likely to graduate high school, and hold higher-paying jobs in the future. Pre-K education provides young students with the opportunity to learn important skills, interact with others, and grow in a number of different ways. So this leaves parents with one important question: Which preschool should they choose?

Parents have many preschools to choose from, especially if they live in or near a big city. Some are in the local public school system, while others are charter schools with specialized curriculum. Selecting the right pre-K school can be a tough decision for any parent. Let us assist you with three effective suggestions:

Talk to Friends & Family

The absolute best resource for finding the top-rated preschools near you are parents who have children who attended preschool in recent years. These people have valuable insight into the program that they selected (and maybe those that they didn't. After a few conservations, you will have a clearer understanding of the pre-K schools you want to look into.

Check Rating Websites

Try a search for "top-rated preschools in (your area)" and you will probably find two types of results: specific preschools and ranking websites. These websites will include reviews and rankings for lots of different preschools in your area. This doesn't mean you need to instantly select the top-rated pre-K school. But it should help you get closer to the right choice.

Take a Tour

After you have finally trimmed your list down to a few choices, visit your favorite preschools. Call ahead and find out when these preschools allow visitors.

With the help of these three steps, selecting the best early education option will be much easier.