Finding the right preschool fit is almost as daunting as getting your kid into the right college—meaning, people will try to terrify you, but odds are good you'll find a great spot for your little one, even if it isn't your first choice. Close your eyes. Breathe.

Whether you opt for a full day, five-day-a-week program or just a few half days, your child will benefit from spending time with kids and adults who are outside your family circle. Potty training, reading, small motor skills, early math—all of these come in time, but preschool will lay the foundations. The most important factor in choosing a preschool is whether you and your child feel comfortable there. Do the children look happy? Are they engaged in projects or play in the classroom? Are the teachers focused, but also friendly and welcoming? That's what counts.

Also consider whether you'd like to commit your own time, which would make you a perfect candidate for a co-op preschool, or if the time commitment required might be hard for you to fulfill, in which case a traditional or year-round preschool would be best. The difference between a school that embraces Reggio Emilia and one that uses a Montessori method are slight (both embrace open space and child-directed learning), but you may find you prefer teachers who consider themselves "guides" en route to making the child independent (Montessori) - or you may be drawn to Reggio's emphasis on communication and documentation. Home-based preschools may feel "cozier" and more a continuum of what your child has already experienced in your own home.

After that, look for:

• Communication: How the school interacts with parents, and how parents interact with teachers, is key.
• Security: Who has access to the school during the day? What is the teacher/child ratio for your child's age group?
• Structure: What is a typical day at school like? Are there special progams, such as music or science?
• Discipline policy: Does it align with your own? How is potty training handled (if your child is not quite "there" yet)?
• What are the facilities like? Is everything sparkling clean? Is there a separate play space? What are the options for outdoor play?

And even though it is strongly recommended that your start your search early (at least a year in advance), remember that spots do open up. Ask about wait lists if you're late to the process or new in town.

We've done a little research on Park Slope preschool options, breaking down some fundamentals for you, below, but remember our Directory is an excellent resource, too! And prep for your interviews with 10 Questions to Ask During a Preschool Tour and our Preschool Admissions Tips.

Happy hunting.

We're counting on having a great time at the fourth annual Math Festival hosted by MoMath on Saturday, with laser cutting, giant mazes, music, and roller coaster design to make STEM irresistible.

Also this Saturday: Watch the colors fly at the Upper West Side's annual Kite Flying Festival. Scoot down to the third (and final) Summer Streets Fest. Skip through the sprinklers at Asphalt Green's second splashy free-for-all. Or head down to Coney Island to enjoy the sunshine and artistry at the annual Sand Sculpting Contest.

Harlem Week romps through uptown all weekend long, with a children's festival on Saturday and daily performances that run from hip hop to poetry to tap dance. And Wave Hill is literally buzzing—it's Honey Weekend again, and that means candle-making, sweet treats, and the traditional Be a Bee workshop and parade.

All this, plus over a hundred other events (50+ each day) are baked into the Mommy Poppins Calendar. Check out our list of the 50 best places to cool off this summer, and don't forget the fun-packed August Go List. And the outdoor movies that were canceled due to all the rain earlier this summer are now being scheduled through September—bookmark our Free Outdoor Movie page to see what's playing (for free!) near you.

And just like that, it's August! But summer is far from winding down for New York City kids. Proof? Two words: Summer Streets. For three straight Saturdays beginning August 3, Manhattan blocks traffic on an unbroken route from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Upper East Side and replaces it with fun outdoor activities—even a climbing wall and a zip line—at stops along the way. See our full lowdown on Summer Streets.

Kids Rule Weekend returns to Lehman College in the Bronx with pony rides and water slides for the toddler and preschool set. The Lincoln Center Out of Doors Family Day kicks off with World Roots music. The Rockaways' Water Fest is wet and wild as ever. Theatro SEA's Arts for All Fest pops up on the Lower East Side with a weekend-long celebration of Puerto Rican plena. And Hong Kong Dragon Boats race through Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

There's lots happening on NYC's riverfronts this weekend, too: Light a lantern for peace at the Hindu Lamp Ceremony in Brooklyn Bridge Park, or show off your dance moves at the Sweet Spot Festival at West Harlem Piers Park. Grab an oar and try your hand at Community Rowing, or learn to kayak or canoe at Hallets Cove.

Our August GoList has all the must-do events for families coming up this month, and don't forget the Summer Fun Guide, bursting with cool stuff to do, including how to get to the beach in a hurry, water park day trips, and even FREE splash pads.