How To Select the Best Early Childhood
Program for Your Child’s Success
Early childhood education, educational support that is provided to children from birth to age 5, can have a profound impact on a child for the rest of their life. Reports indicate that children who are enrolled in high quality programs show higher rates of excelling academically, graduating highschool, pursuing higher education, and obtaining higher incomes in their adult years. It’s important to recognize, though, that not all Early Childhood Education Programs are alike. Some programs naturally provide better quality education than others.
If you’re considering an Early Childhood Education Program for your child, it’s important to know what to look for in a quality program and how to assess what makes one program better than another. Today, we’re taking a closer look at what factors you need to consider when considering different early Head Start programs for your child and how these factors will impact your child in the short and long term.
Why Is an Early Childhood Education Program Important?
Early Childhood Education is critical in helping children develop the skills they need for short- and long-term success. Children of all ages from all socioeconomic backgrounds can benefit from enrolling in an Early Childhood Education Program. However, children who face unique circumstances, such as having a physical, mental, or learning disability, often stand the most to benefit from Early Childhood Education.
These educational programs allow children to work with trained professionals who can help them meet and exceed their developmental milestones. Other benefits of Early Childhood Education include:
- Improved social skills
- Social and emotional growth
- Gaining literacy skills
- Cognitive development, and so much more
What To Look for in Early Childhood Education Programs
Knowing what to look for in an Early Childhood Education Program is important. Consider these key factors and understand the importance behind them.
Accreditation
Some Early Childhood Education Programs are offered through school systems or larger organizational agencies. If this is the case, you can check to see the accreditation of the program if one exists. Accreditation is when a school is recognized by a higher agency, typically the state’s Department of Education, as having met a certain level of standards set forth by the accrediting body.
Properly Trained Staff
Consider the training and any professional development requirements of staff and teachers. While not all adults in an Early Childhood Education Program are required to have a license, some might, depending on the program you are looking for.
Be sure to ask about the licensure status of educators, what training and certification teachers and support staff have to undergo, and what professional development or training opportunities teachers have. Asking these questions and others will give you insight into the training and experience the teachers bring to the students they work with.
What Curriculum Is Used
Standards in an Early Childhood Education Program are important because they outline different milestones and other skills children will focus on and engage in when they are in the program.
A quality Early Childhood Education Program should have a curriculum in place. There are all types of curriculums available for Early Childhood educators, but the best Early Childhood Education Programs implement standards outlined by the state. In Nevada, there is a state curriculum framework that details what standards Early Childhood Education Programs should follow in order to meet the child developmental milestones of this population.
While many states will often have a curriculum that the preschool education program can adopt, private Early Childhood Education Programs like those found in daycare settings don’t always have to adhere to these standards. Instead, they can create their own curriculum instead. Typically, if this is the case, the proprietary curriculum incorporates the standards listed by the state’s curriculum framework.
Staff-To-Student Ratio
Staff-to-student ratios in any Early Childhood Education classroom are critical. This aspect of Early Childhood Education is so important to the safety, care, and education of children that there are laws surrounding how many adults there need to be in a classroom per certain number of students. These are known as the minimum staffing ratios. Learn more about staffing ratios under Nevada law to get a better sense of staffing guidelines.
Hours of Operation
A common schedule you’ll find includes hours of operation from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Early Childhood Education centers will typically have a defined time when the curriculum starts and ends; however, the slot of time before and after the curriculum is often used as a daycare time frame. As you explore different Early Childhood Education Programs in your area, consider the hours of operation and how these hours will fit with your schedule.
Consider the Financials
Early Childhood Education Programs can be costly. Tuition is often a factor at the top of parents’ minds. As you explore different Early Childhood Education Programs, weigh out the different benefits these programs have and whether you think they measure up to the tuition that is required.
Another avenue to help alleviate the cost of tuition is financial assistance. There are a variety of financial assistance programs in Nevada, including the Go to Grow fund, that can help make Early Childhood Education affordable for your family. As you learn about the different Early Childhood Education Programs in your community, ask about potential grant offerings and other avenues you can turn to for financial support.
How To Assess if an Early Childhood Program Is Right for Your Child
Once you’ve narrowed down a couple of Early Childhood Education Programs that you think will work for your family, it’s time to dive into the details. Consider these elements to determine if the program is a right fit for your family.
Classroom Environment
The classroom environment of an Early Childhood Education Program can greatly impact your child. When visiting classrooms, consider the type of environment it is and whether you think it would be a good fit for your child. You want to ensure the environment feels welcoming, bright when needed, and more mellow when it’s time for rest breaks. You also want to make sure that the environment is safe and have clear protocols in case of an emergency.
Do They Have the Right Programs?
If your child has a physical disability and requires certain support throughout the day, ensure the school has the support to help serve your child. If your child needs services like speech or occupational therapy, ask whether such programs or specialists are available to work with your child during the school program. Some families might also need flexible services like home visit programs. Ask about these supports and what they look like in the Early Childhood Education Program.
What Are the Channels of Communication?
Communication is key in any childhood education program. Consider how directors, administrators, and teachers communicate with parents. Does communication happen online or over the phone? Do detailed parent communications happen daily or weekly? Communication is also critical because schools are often the first point of contact when learning about support services like the WIC program, grants, and other support. Learn about the methods the school has in place to keep parents in the loop and ensure that their processes can align with your work and family life.
Discover Quality Care at Sunrise Children’s Foundation
If you’re looking for an early Head Start Program in Las Vegas for your child, turn to the experienced team at Sunrise Children’s Foundation. We’re proud to offer exceptional Early Childhood Education Programs for children of all backgrounds and needs. Get in touch to learn more about our facility and the unique support we offer children of all ages.
