A process for preparing a polyol, comprising: a) continuously producing an intermediate polyol in a first reactor by a process comprising: introducing into the first reactor a mixture comprising a DMC catalyst and an initial starter, wherein the mixture is added in an amount sufficient to initiate polyoxyalkylation of the initial starter after introduction of alkylene oxide into the first reactor; introducing alkylene oxide to the first reactor; continuously introducing a continuously added starter into the first reactor; and continuously introducing fresh DMC catalyst and/or further DMC catalyst/further starter mixture to the first reactor such that catalytic activity of the DMC catalyst is maintained; b) continuously discharging the intermediate polyol from the first reactor; c) continuously mixing the intermediate polyol with an aqueous solution of alkali metal to provide a mixture comprising the intermediate polyol, alkali metal, and water; d) continuously dehydrating the mixture comprising intermediate polyol, alkali metal, and water, by continuously passing the mixture through one or more packed column, trayed column, falling film evaporator, wiped film evaporator, kettle evaporator, or flash tank, thereby continuously producing a dehydrated mixture comprising the intermediate polyol and the alkali metal; e) transferring the dehydrated mixture to a second reactor; and f) producing the polyol in the second reactor by feeding an alkylene oxide to the second reactor to thereby react the intermediate polyol with the alkylene oxide in the presence of the alkali metal, wherein the alkylene oxide fed to the second reactor comprises ethylene oxide in an amount sufficient to provide the polyol with an ethylene oxide cap in which up to 20% by weight of ethylene oxide is added as a cap, based on the total weight of the polyol produced in the second reactor. a) continuously producing an intermediate polyol in a first reactor by a process comprising: introducing into the first reactor a mixture comprising a DMC catalyst and an initial starter, wherein the mixture is added in an amount sufficient to initiate polyoxyalkylation of the initial starter after introduction of alkylene oxide into the first reactor; introducing alkylene oxide to the first reactor; continuously introducing a continuously added starter into the first reactor; and continuously introducing fresh DMC catalyst and/or further DMC catalyst/further starter mixture to the first reactor such that catalytic activity of the DMC catalyst is maintained; introducing into the first reactor a mixture comprising a DMC catalyst and an initial starter, wherein the mixture is added in an amount sufficient to initiate polyoxyalkylation of the initial starter after introduction of alkylene oxide into the first reactor; introducing alkylene oxide to the first reactor; continuously introducing a continuously added starter into the first reactor; and continuously introducing fresh DMC catalyst and/or further DMC catalyst/further starter mixture to the first reactor such that catalytic activity of the DMC catalyst is maintained; b) continuously discharging the intermediate polyol from the first reactor; c) continuously mixing the intermediate polyol with an aqueous solution of alkali metal to provide a mixture comprising the intermediate polyol, alkali metal, and water; d) continuously dehydrating the mixture comprising intermediate polyol, alkali metal, and water, by continuously passing the mixture through one or more packed column, trayed column, falling film evaporator, wiped film evaporator, kettle evaporator, or flash tank, thereby continuously producing a dehydrated mixture comprising the intermediate polyol and the alkali metal; e) transferring the dehydrated mixture to a second reactor; and f) producing the polyol in the second reactor by feeding an alkylene oxide to the second reactor to thereby react the intermediate polyol with the alkylene oxide in the presence of the alkali metal, wherein the alkylene oxide fed to the second reactor comprises ethylene oxide in an amount sufficient to provide the polyol with an ethylene oxide cap in which up to 20% by weight of ethylene oxide is added as a cap, based on the total weight of the polyol produced in the second reactor.