Like everyone else, Christians need to make choices regarding their children. Once you decide that your child is ready for preschool, or childcare you need to find a good program. Start your search early. Some apply to the best schools when their child is born. After you've identified two or three promising schools, apply to all of them. You'll have a backup or two. To find the best program for your child, follow the steps below.

First, you'll need decide what you want. Are you looking for a preschool near your workplace, or would one closer to home be more convenient? Are you looking for a specific approach to learning? Keep good notes and write everything down so you have a list to refer to as you size up potential programs.

• Ask around to find the most reputable preschools. Friends and family can give you the names of schools they've liked, go to your local church, oftentimes they have programs in place also try personal references.

• Ask some experts, they can give you the number of a local childcare resource and referral agency, which in turn can direct you to licensed preschools in your area. Better yet, ask for a list of accredited schools near you. While accreditation isn't a guarantee that a particular preschool will be right for your child, in general, a stamp of approval from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is a reliable sign of quality.

• Turn to the phone book, but keep in mind it's a limited resource. Your Yellow Pages should have a list of preschools in your area, but this is just a starting point because the listings are unscreened.

You can call over the phone (to find out fees, for example), but you'll want to go to an open hosue to see what teh school is really like. Ask the director about everything from hours, fees, and vacation schedules to philosophies on childrearing issues such as discipline and nutrition. Also, get a schedule of daily activities. Are the teachers worshipping Christians? Is there chapel instruction?

When you visit the classrooms, check the teacher-child ratios in Florida like m,any states its mandated, but some commercial outfits will really stretch the limits.

Also a regular, challenging curriculum; a warm, clean, safe environment; and experienced teachers who are paid well and happy with their jobs. Ask about staff turnover. If the teachers change every six months, move on. Children need a good environment to flourish, so you don't want a preschool where teachers leave.

Choosing a Christian preschool is an important personal decision. If, after visiting a preschool, you love the idea of having your child there, it's probably the right place for you.

You can also visit the school with your child. You'll want to see how he and the teachers interact and whether he seems comfortable in the preschool's environment.

With the economy the way it is, there may not be any waiting lists but it can't hurt to let the school know how enthusiastic you are about the program. In the meantime, if you've applied to more than one school, you'll likely have other options to consider.