Working moms looking for child care have few standards by which to judge possible care providers. One of the most reputable is the National Association for the Education of Young Children, which accredits preschool programs based on very strict standards for teachers’ education, children’s health, and preschool management.
You can search the NAEYC site for accredited preschools in your area or lodge a complaint against a program. The site also offers a wealth of information on early childhood education and conferences the association sponsors.
Granted, NAEYC accreditation is only one of many factors you should evaluate when choosing child care. In the end, you may decide that the warmth and experience of teachers is more important than their degrees or specific training. But at the least it tells you a given program has met a minimum baseline.
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I have used NAEYC’s resources for years, both professionally and personally. I embrace the organization’s emphasis on the play-to-learn philosophy, which has always made the most sense to me in regards to preschool education.