Early Years Are Learning Years:
Helping Young Children Start School
Even before kindergarten, parents should be aware of ways they can provide the best learning opportunities for their young children. One important choice for many families during their child's early years involves preschool or childcare.

The first years of a child's life are a crucial development period, and children who are nurtured and stimulated during these years are much more prepared for formal reading and math, and are more likely to have the social skills they need for kindergarten. Parents are a child's first teachers, but early childhood education programs are also important, especially with the number of one-parent families and families in which both parents work full-time growing.

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) has approved new Early Childhood Program Standards that outline what NAEYC believes every childcare, preschool and other early childhood education programs should provide to nurture the learning and development of young children. These standards can be used as a guideline for parents to determine the quality of a preschool or childcare program.

As the leading organization of early childhood educators, NAEYC established this accreditation system in 1985 to raise the quality of early childhood education and help families identify good preschool and childcare programs. To earn NAEYC accreditation, programs must meet national performance standards of quality that go beyond most state health and safety licensing requirements. Teachers and staff in these programs receive ongoing training, and the programs are observed by independent, professional experts and reviewed by a national accreditation panel.

The following guidelines, based on the NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards, can help you identify high-quality early care and education programs for your young children.

Preschool and childcare programs should focus on children

• Watch to see that children interact with other children and adults, so they can build healthy relationships.
• Ask about the curriculum, which should include a variety of activities appropriate for the children's ages and needs.

• The staff should have the educational background to promote your child's learning and development. Ask what degrees and training teachers have.
• Ask how long teachers and staff have been with the program. Teachers that stay in the program longer are more able to focus their attention on the children and establish bonds with them.

Preschool and childcare programs should build relationships with families

• Program staff should work with families to meet their child's needs. Ask how information and concerns are communicated between staff and families.
• Check that the program's policies allow families to visit their child during the program day.

Preschool and childcare programs should be well-run

• Check that the program is licensed by the state. The facilities need to be age-appropriate and well maintained, both indoors and outdoors.
• Check whether the program has policies and practices to help keep children safe from preventable illness and injury.
• Ask about the child-to-teacher ratio, which helps determine how much individual attention your child will get. There should be at least one adult for every 10 4-year-olds.

Evaluating a program based on these standards will help you choose a high-quality program for your child that provides them a great start on learning.

To find a NAEYC-accredited childcare or preschool program in your area, click on "Accredited Program Search" on the NAEYC Web site at www.naeyc.org. Local childcare resources and referral agencies are also good sources. To find one in your area, visit www.childcareaware.org.

Taken from NAEYC ( www.naeyc.org ) on 9/17/06.