- Your child is safe and secure while you are at school or work.
- Your child’s teachers should support and challenge your child to explore and learn new things.
- Your child will learn skills needed for kindergarten.
- You and your child feel supported.
What to Look for When You Visit
Your child is safe and secure. When you trust your child to someone else, you want to be sure that both you and your child feel safe. Child care programs must meet state health and safety regulations. The federal government regulates Head Start programs. Preschool or pre-kindergarten programs can be regulated by either the Department of Human Services, the Department of Education, or the organization that runs them.
Look for:
- Department of Human Services child care certificate posted.
- Check the inspection and violation history of childcare programs before you visit.
Ask:
- How is the program regulated, and are there any complaints or violations?
Some good teachers and specialists support you and your child. Because young children develop numerous new skills rapidly in the first five years, teaching them is an exceptional experience. It’s about nurturing, learning what a child can do, and helping them build new skills. Your child’s teacher should have some education in child development or early childhood education, such as a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or a degree in a related field. Teachers may hold a Pennsylvania School-Age Professional credential if they are seeking an afterschool program.
Look for:
- You and your child get along well with the teacher.
- Teachers encourage children to explore new things safely. Children are comfortable, happy, and involved in the classroom. If a conflict arises or a child requires discipline, the teacher handles the situation positively.
Ask about:
- Staff education and experience with young children.
- How long have the teachers been in the program? (Longer is better.)
The atmosphere is kid-friendly, featuring learning areas and activities tailored to your child’s age and development. Young children learn by exploring and utilizing multiple skills simultaneously. Classrooms need to fit children with activities that work best for them.
Look for:
- Everything at the kid level, with learning stations, books, and activities that are not too easy or hard for the children in the class. This is called developmentally appropriate.
- The class sizes are small enough that teachers have time to work one-on-one with your child throughout the day.
Ask:
- How do the teachers use the Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards in curriculum and learning activities?
Find the program that meets your needs.
If you want to talk with someone to help decide what services are best for you, contact your County’s Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC). You can speak to someone over the phone or meet in person. They can help you understand all the options available in your area. Find your ELRC contact information here.
You can also search for programs by your child’s age, location, additional services, and more.