How to Choose a Good Early Childhood Program

As a parent, you want to be sure the child care center or preschool you choose is right for your child. But how do you know? The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) has a list of questions to ask child care providers as you choose a program for your young child. These answers to these questions will help you determine if you have found "good" child care.

First, visit several different programs in your area to determine what kind of care is available. For example, do the adults on staff enjoy and understand how young children grow? Do staff members view themselves positively, in order to genuinely nurture the emotional and social development of your child? Are there enough adults to care for the individual needs of your child. NAEYC recommends that all groups of young children have at least two adults at all times. Infants should be in groups of no more than 8 babies. 2 to 3 year olds should be in groups of 10 to 16 children. 4 and 5 year olds can be in groups of up to 20 children. Note how well the adults work with each other. These questions will help you determine who will care for your child.

Next, observe the staff and facilities in a daily routine. Watch what happens, through your eyes and the eyes of your child. Does this school or center nurture the growth and development of young children as they work and play together? Notice if the children have ample amounts of active learning, such as outdoor playing and games as well as quiet learning, such as reading stories or doing puzzles. Are sufficient and age appropriate materials available to all children?

There should be plenty of blocks and books, play clothes and paints to offer a wide variety of interesting and challenging things to do. Ask yourself, Will my child be happy here? Do staff members use up-to-date equipment in a facility that is safe and spacious? Are children encouraged to increase language skills, as well as expand their understanding of the world? Such inquiries allow you to see what program activities and equipment are offered.

Finally, determine which program supports and considers needs of the whole family. Strong programs are aware of and contribute to the needs of an entire community. They will promote the health of all children, parents, and staff. Consult staff and neighbors, then consider how the staff relates to your family and your community. Your questions and observations will help you decide whether or not the facility is designed to meet the various demands of young children, their families, and the community. These questions should help guide your search for a good child center or preschool.

The best indicator of high quality standards in early childhood education is "accreditation." A program that has been in operation for at least one year may voluntarily apply for accreditation to the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs, a division of NAEYC. Such programs complete an extensive self-study that is validated by an on-site visit. Reports are reviewed by nationally recognized, early childhood experts. Programs judged to be in substantial compliance with the Academy's criteria are granted accreditation for three years. Once a program is accredited, it receives a certificate from NAEYC. Look for it to be displayed. Accredited programs earn the right to use the Academy's insignia -- a torch -- on their own stationery and literature.

Academy accreditation considers all aspects of a program's operation and emphasizes the same qualities that you want to find in a child care center. These qualities begin with a gentle and caring relationship between the children and qualified adults who are trained to make your child's preschool experience the best it can be. By choosing accredited programs, you know that your child will learn equally the many different facets of growth such as communication and language, making friends, caring about the world around them, and learning with curiosity and enthusiasm.

To order copies of the full text of this brochure (#525) or to find out about other resources from the National Association for the Education of Young Children, write to: