The Lake Oswego Mom’s Club and Lake Oswego Parks and Recreation Department are making it easy for Lake Oswego parents to check out their preschool options by bringing local providers all together under one roof on Thursday, January 16 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the West End Building, 4010 Kruse Way.

This is a great chance to narrow down your options before making appointments to preview these schools with your child. Representatives will be on hand to discuss teaching philosophies and answer questions.

Speaking of questions, the Lake Oswego Mom’s Club offers some things to consider when previewing schools.

●What is the level of parental involvement? At a cooperative program like Oswego Playschool, parents work in the classroom about twice a month. Depending on your schedule and other commitments this could be a plus.

●Is there before or after school child care available? This was a factor we considered for our third child who was extroverted even at the young age of four and liked the opportunity to stay longer at school. It worked for my wife too whose time was more committed with three kids under the age of eight.

●What does a typical day look like? Does the ratio of playtime to structured activity time fit with your expectations? Check to see if they offer additional aspects that might be important to you like languages (The Chinese American International School in Lake Oswego, for example) or religious elements (like Bethlehem Christian Preschool in Lake Oswego or Neveh Shalom Foundation School in Portland).

There are lots of choices out there—over 40 schools will be represented—so save yourself some footwork and take the one-stop-shopping approach by attending the forum. Limited child care is available.