The preschool should be accessible to parents at all times, she said. If parents are not welcome to drop in any time, that might raise a red flag about the activities at the facility.

The number of adults in the classroom should be a consideration. A teacher-student ratio of one to 10 or less is desirable, she said.

Good said there should be many curriculum areas and learning centers in the classroom, as well as a balance between active and passive time in the schedule.

“If it’s a quality environment, they’ll have rest times,” she said.

In light of the rise in childhood obesity, Good said, parents should ascertain if nutritious snacks, not junk food, are served at the facility.

Lastly, Good said, a simple observation might give a clue to the preschool’s quality.

“Do the children look happy?” she said.

That was apparently the case for Lauren Ingram who missed preschool during the summer. Her mother said she was eager for the program to begin again this fall.