As parents, we make countless decisions for our children. Some feel relatively easy—what sport they'll play or which activities they'll try. Others stop us in our tracks. For me, one of those big decisions was choosing a preschool. The process felt overwhelming. In Montgomery County, families can have 25 to 60 preschool options within a five-mile radius of home. While I was combing through directories and comparing programs, another parent offered a piece of advice I've never forgotten: "You'll just know." In other words, trust your instincts. That advice proved invaluable.
When I was choosing a preschool for my daughter years ago, one school simply felt right. What I didn't know at the time was that the parent who gave me our tour would become a lifelong friend and that our children would grow up together. As the publisher of Macaroni KID, I now have the opportunity to visit many schools throughout Montgomery County. I was surprised to experience that same feeling while touring Sandy Spring Friends School.
What immediately stood out was the school's commitment to nurturing the whole child through:
- Nature exploration and outdoor learning
- Child-centered, inquiry-based education
- Joyful, creative play that builds confidence and community
- Quaker values of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship
- A whole-child approach that supports social, emotional, intellectual, physical, spiritual, and creative growth
The school checked all the academic and developmental boxes for me (though I admit they had me at "nature exploration"), but what lingered long after the tour was the atmosphere. The environment was steeped in curiosity, wonder, and kindness. As I walked through classrooms, I saw teachers sitting on the floor engaged with students, children immersed in hands-on learning, and outdoor spaces that weren't occasional destinations but extensions of the classroom itself. Learning happens on the campus farm, along the pond, and throughout the natural spaces that surround the school. One small detail especially stayed with me: the rows of rain boots lined up outside. They weren't there for special occasions. They were there because getting outside and exploring is an essential part of daily life at SSFS.
Touring the school reminded me that choosing a preschool isn't just about finding a place where children spend their day. It's about finding an environment that nurtures curiosity, builds confidence, and encourages a lifelong love of learning.
While researching the school, I came across a quote from a current parent: "When we chose SSFS, I had no idea we were choosing the kind of person our son would be." That sentiment captures what makes preschool decisions feel so significant. We're not simply choosing a school. We're choosing a community and an educational philosophy that will help shape our children's earliest experiences as learners.
If you're beginning your preschool search and feeling overwhelmed by the options, my advice is the same advice another parent once gave me: do your research, ask questions, visit schools—and trust your instincts.
Sometimes, you really do just know.
