How to Measure Early Childcare Education Centers

Brighton Preschool - Blog Image- Childcare Education Center

Does your childcare measure up?

All parents do it. We measure our kids. We measure them against siblings, other kids in the park, at preschool, and even with relatives. Indeed, it is human nature to compare, contrast and evaluate. It is a sign of good parenting… to question, to wonder, to learn, and be thoughtful about our choices. What about your preschool? Does your child’s early childhood education measure up and help them build the essential skills they will need to succeed in school for years to come? Will your child be ready for elementary school? This is it; the most important brain development happens under the age of 8 years old. When evaluating an early childcare education center, consider the following:

Return on Investment

Child Playing at Early Education Childcare CenterEarly childhood is this amazing age of 0-8 years old. A great early childhood education has proven to be far more important of an investment than saving up for college. If you put in the dollars now, you will put fewer dollars into education later. For every $1 spent in high-quality early childhood education, we see a $4- 49 return. THIS IS HUGE! The argument for high-quality early education is not only an educational or moral argument, it is a financial one. Nobel Prize-winning economist, James Heckman, has researched and written extensively on investments in early childhood.

Check out his website with a wealth of resources in video and print.  https://heckmanequation.org/

What makes an Early Childcare Education Center HIGH QUALITY???

Teacher-to-Child Ratio

What is the teacher-to-child ratio and what the heck does that mean even? We are talking about how many children are in a class with how many teachers. This is vitally important to your child’s growth and development. In fact, this statistic directly correlates to the attention and care your child will receive throughout the day. The ideal ratios for each age group of children in a Preschool according to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) are the following:

Early Education Childcare Center Staff Child Ratio Chart

(Source: NAEYC – https://www.naeyc.org/sites/default/files/globally-shared/downloads/PDFs/accreditation/early-learning/staff_child_ratio_0.pdf ) 

Individualized Curriculum and Assessment

How do the teachers know your child? When the ratio is low, teachers can work one on one with children. Consequently, this enables teachers to conduct informal and formal assessment of skills in language, math, science, problem solving, social and emotional skills. Teachers who are aware and are documenting children’s skills can then tailor the curriculum and activities in the classroom to enhance individual learning. This is an essential part of helping children reach their full potential at every stage of learning.

Teacher and Administration Education

Years of research in quality early childhood education has shown a direct correlation between the level of education of the teachers and administrators and the quality of learning and development of the children. Further, it is essential the teachers and the people in charge of the program have college level education in early childhood education, child development, child psychology or education. Just any ‘ole degree will not do. In fact, studies show children benefit from teacher’s formal education in the field of early childhood.

Children Play Cooking at an Early Education Childcare CenterPlay is a Learning Necessity

Play in early childhood is important to brain development. Hands on learning experiences where children are allowed to handle, manipulate, and explore materials will support a stronger understanding of math, science, and language concepts. For instance, seeing a picture of an apple and tasting an apple are two very different experiences. Summing up, young children’s brains need concrete stimuli to develop.

Kindness and Love

All this list would be worthless if there was not a genuine love and kindness in the Preschool. This can be seen in teachers sitting on the floor with children in their arms, when a teacher is reading a story and the children are entranced, the eyes of the director light up when talking about what your child has done that day. You can see love and kindness in the everyday interactions between the children and staff. You can feel it in the air when you walk through the building.

Children Learning with Teacher at an Early Education Childcare CenterThe Right Place

Choosing the right place for your children to grow and develop is so important for their journey through school. Because you are reading this article and investigating, you are supporting your child’s growth. At Brighton Preschool we want each child to receive a world-class education, be loved while in our care and live up to their full potential as human beings!

License History and Accreditation Matter

All childcare centers operated in the State of Texas must be licensed through the Texas Health and Human Services, Department of Family and Protective Services. This license is the minimum standard of health and safety for childcare centers in the state. Moreover, this license provides centers with a basic framework of regulations to keep children healthy and safe in care.

License records are public knowledge and any licensed center’s records can be found by searching the state website.

https://www.dfps.texas.gov/Child_Care/Search_Texas_Child_Care/ppFacilitySearchDayCare.asp

Accreditation is going to the next level. Accredited Early Childcare Education Centers not only keep children healthy and safe, they provide robust guidance for providing cognitive, social and emotional care and education for young children. You want your child to be in a center that is accredited by an outside agency. Specifically, there are both state and national accreditation agencies.

Texas Rising Star LogoThe State of Texas has an accreditation system to define and ensure a program is providing high quality early childhood education and interactions. Early education centers apply and are observed through a rigorous process to gain a Texas Rising Star top 4-star rating. Brighton Preschool is a 4-star Early Childcare Education Center and is committed to providing the highest quality of care for children.  https://texasrisingstar.org/parents/find-a-certified-program/

NAEYC Logo

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is the gold standard of national accreditation programs. This non-profit organization conducts research and develops standards and criteria for the highest quality of care and education for young children. The association also credentials college Teacher Education programs. https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/for-families

Does your childcare, daycare, early learning center or preschool measure up? Does it provide your child with the support systems, developmental challenges and enhanced learning environment to give them the foundation for a life long learning journey?

Need a checklist? Check this out! https://childcare.gov/consumer-education/choosing-quality-child-care-tip-sheets

“We are so thankful our grand-daughter has the opportunity to attend the Monte-Vista location, down by Trinity U. Ms. Marty and the entire staff/team are UH-MAZING! Tonight was just another example. Kids will be kids, and our grand-daughter plays HARD! They were playing inside this afternoon (it’s 102 outside) and she ran into the window which unfortunately shattered. Amelia had a laceration on her arm, and a small cut on her other hand. We are so thankful for God’s protection for her. We are also so thankful for Ms. Marty and the staff who took such good care of her until we could fight traffic and get there. By the time we arrived, Amelia was back to her cheerful self. The small cut was bandaged as was the laceration. They had done their best to clean the glass off of her and even out of her hair. Over and over, The Brighton Team just seems to go the extra mile. Her education and growth this last year has been tremendous. And to know she’s in such great hands even in the case of an accident was so special tonight too. Thanks Ms. Marty and Thank you to the entire Brighton Staff/Team. “