Families
A quality early care and education program goes beyond keeping children safe and healthy. It nurtures each child, honors their developmental progress, and challenges each of them to develop critical thinking, social, emotional and physical skills. Research shows that children who attend quality early childhood programs do better in school and throughout life.
Whether you are looking for an early care and education program or have a child who is already enrolled in a program, QUALITYstarsNY wants to help make sure that your child’s early childhood experiences are the best they can be.
The Four Key Areas of a Quality Early Childhood Program
QUALITYstarsNY assesses early childhood programs in four key areas that work together to create a high quality early childhood program where children, families, and providers can thrive.
In a high quality environment, spaces are clean, safe and inviting for children to play, learn, and grow. Equipment, materials, and planned activities stimulate learning. Adults interact with children in nurturing, respectful, and responsive ways.
Family engagement is the way staff work with families to advance their child’s development and support household stability. Family members should feel respected, welcomed, and invited to participate in decisions that affect their child. Communication with families is regular and culturally responsive.
Programs known for their excellence have teachers with knowledge and experience in child development and early education.
Strong leadership and management supports the entire early childhood program. Leaders set a vision for the program and establish policies to ensure the program functions properly and staff are supported, which allows teachers, providers, and families to focus on the children.