ROCKY HILL, Conn. -- For the parents of young children, the 2009-2010 school year isn't that far away.

Experts say now is the time to secure a spot in preschool, but that parents have to look for the one that's right for their children.

At Somers Cooperative Preschool, dancing and singing are just some of the activities in which children take part.

Teachers at the school said learning letters and numbers is important, but that much of the learning that happens in the 3 to 5 age range can be more subtle. They said that's why finding the right school and the right teachers is important.

"Research even shows that the No. 1 determinate of a quality program are the teacher qualifications," said Diane Wharton, director of The School for Young Children at St. Joseph College.

Wharton said parents should take an interest in a teacher's schooling.

"They're going to be really happy with a program where the teachers have a degree in early education," she said.

Another mark of a quality program is if it's accredited, which The School for Young Children and Somers Cooperative Preschool are.

"Accredited means by the National Association for Young Children," said Karen Hurlburt, a teacher at Somers Cooperative School. "If it's gone through accreditation, then chances are it has gone through a very rigorous evaluation."

Parents should also visit preschools and observe classes in action, Wharton said.

"Are there distinct areas to play in and are they areas that are equipped with a lot of interesting materials that children can just engage in?" she said. "Are the teachers engaging with children as opposed to just supervising them?"

Virginia Tabb, head teacher at Somers Cooperative School, said a lot is expected of youngsters these days.

"The things I was teaching in first grade years ago are things that we're doing in preschool nowadays," she said.

Teachers at the two schools also said children should enjoy preschool and view it as a place where they can develop social skills and learn how to play with others. They said you don't need to rush kindergarten.

"What they need before getting into those doors is a preschool experience," Wharton said.

To find an accredited preschool, visit the National Association for Young Children's Web site.