Published on June 19, 2018 in Education
Learning starts long before kindergarten, and quality child care and preschool programs can help kids succeed in school, work and life. GreatStartToQuality.org makes it easy for families to identify quality child care and preschool, helping them get the best of their child and the most for their money.
Ask the following questions when considering quality in child care and preschool programs:
Do caregivers have a college degree? Have they attended or are they taking college classes? Have they obtained a Child Development Associate or Montessori credential, and/or have they participated in training relevant to child development and/or child care topics?
How do caregivers help parents learn more about how their children learn and grow? Do they meet with parents to talk about their children’s development? How do program staff let parents know about places in the community that can help them when they need assistance and support children’s transitions to kindergarten and other programs?
Does the program have a written contract that they provide to all enrolled families? Are there written expectations for staff, if applicable, and yearly staff evaluations as well as benefits for staff?
Is the location free of safety hazards and is the program in good standing with licensing? You can learn more about licensing statuses by clicking here. Also, are nutritionally sound meals offered as well as nutrition education to families? Do providers track children’s health?
Do providers have a mission statement for their program, follow a flexible daily schedule and use curriculum that helps them make decisions about the daily routine? Do providers use a research-based screening and assessment tool and share information with parents at parent-teacher conferences throughout the year?
The moments between the bib and the backpack make all the difference for school readiness and lifelong success. Let’s make them count by choosing high quality early learning. Visit BibToBackpack.org for more resources to empower you to give your children a great start!