The Key Elements for a High Quality Early Care and Education Program

Here are key elements that should be present in a high quality early care and education (ECE) program that any parent should be looking for when selecting their child care arrangement:

• Qualified ECE teachers.

• There is a stimulating and dynamic classroom environment where children are viewed as competent learners.

• A developmentally appropriate curriculum is used based upon the assessed individual needs of children.

• Opportunities for families and staff to get to know each other.

• Families receive information on their children’s progress regularly using a formal process.

• Early childhood educators encourage children to communicate.

• Early childhood educators encourage children to develop reasoning skills.

• Early childhood educators listen attentively when children speak.

• Early childhood educators speak warmly to children.