The Best Question to Ask on a Preschool Tour

Most parents arrive on a preschool tour with a good list of questions about ratios, curriculum, meals, and naps. Those are all important questions. But there's one simple question that often gets left off the list, and it can tell you more than almost anything else you'll hear that day: How long have your teachers been here?

Why This Question Matters So Much

Young children learn through relationships. When a teacher knows your child well, including how they like to be comforted, what makes them giggle, and when a nap is overdue, your child feels safe enough to explore, try new things, and grow.

When teachers come and go, children and families have to start over again and again. Early childhood education is known for high turnover, so the answer to this question can vary a lot from one school to the next. A school where teachers stay is usually a school where teachers feel supported, and that support flows straight to the children in their care.

What a Great Answer Sounds Like

Listen for specifics. A director who can share teachers' names, how many years they've been there, and a story or two about the families they've grown alongside is giving you a real window into the school's culture.

A few friendly follow-up questions can help, too. Will my child have the same teacher next year? What does the school do to support its teachers? How will teachers and I stay in touch during the day?

How We Answer at Casita Azul

At Casita Azul, 99% of our educators return year after year. A big reason is that we're employee-owned. Our teachers share in our success through profit-sharing and co-ownership opportunities, so they build their careers here.

We also practice looping, an approach used in Finland, where children stay with the same teacher for multiple years. The teacher who greets your baby on their first day may be the same one cheering them on at preschool graduation. And because every family gets updates through Brightwheel, you'll stay connected all day in English, whether or not you speak Spanish at home.

Come Ask Us in Person

We'd love for you to see it for yourself. Visit our Hillsboro campus, with two acres of outdoor space, a purpose-built infant center, and a spot just steps from Jackson Elementary. Or stop by our Beaverton campus in Cedar Mill. Ask our teachers how long they've been here. We think you'll love the answer.

Enrollment is open year-round, so your child can start when your family is ready. Schedule your tour today and discover your child's home away from home.

About Casita Azul

Casita Azul is a family-founded, employee-owned Spanish-immersion school serving children from infancy through preschool with campuses in Hillsboro, Tanasbourne, and Beaverton and a network of in-home casitas. Founded in 2018, Casita Azul creates a home away from home where children learn through play, culture, and connection and guided by caring teachers who stay: 99% of our educators return year after year, and looping keeps children with the same teacher as they grow. In September 2027, our journey extends through 5th grade with Spanish Horizons Academy, our K-5 expeditionary Spanish-immersion elementary school in Hillsboro. Get to know us at www.casitaazulpdx.com and on Facebook and Instagram. Enrollment is open year round.