(Operators will refer parents anywhere in the country to area licensed and accredited childcare centers.)
1. LOOK. Do the caregivers enjoy talking and playing with children: do they talk with each child at the child's eye level?
2. LISTEN. What does the setting sound like? Is it calm? Dull? Happy? Loud?
3. COUNT. How many children are in the caregivers care? The fewer children, the more attention your child will receive.
4. ASK. What experience or training do the caregivers have?
5. BE INFORMED. To learn more about finding quality child care, contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency.
As a parent, you want to be sure that 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 questions and answers will help you determine exactly what "good" child care is and how you can find it in your area.
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 you feel that they can nurture the emotional and social development of your child? Do they have any training in working with gifted children? Are there enough adults to care for the individual needs of you child. These questions will help you determine who will care for your child.
NAEYC recommends that all groups of young children have at least two adults at all time. Infants should be in groups of no more than 6 to 8 babies. 2-3 year olds should be in groups of 10-14 children. 4 and 5 year olds can be in groups of up to 20 children. Note how well the adults work with each other. Observe the staff and facilities in a daily routine. 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--reading stories or doing puzzles. Are there sufficient and age appropriate materials available to all children?
There should be plenty of blocks, 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.
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.
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 and a large, colorful poster from NAEYC. Look for both to be displayed. Accredited programs earn the right to use the Academy's insignia--a torch--on their own stationary and litera-ture. If a program is not accredited, ask if they've considered going through the process.
Academy accreditation considers all aspects of a program's opertaion 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 en-thusiasm. (To order the full text of this document (#525) write to NAEYC, 1509 16thStreet, N.W., Wash. D.C. 20036.) 1-800-982-4406.
The American Association For Gifted Children, Preschool Project
For more information about AAGC, contact Margaret Evans Gayle, Executive Director or call (919) 783-6152.
Write to us at:
American Association for Gifted Children
at Duke University
Box 90270
Durham, North Carolina 27708-0270