<!--StartFragment--><h1><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-bidi-font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa";color:black'>Choosing an Early Childhood Program</span></h1><p><strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa";color:black'>What should you look for in a good early childhood program?</span></strong> <span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family: Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:"Estrangelo Edessa";color:black'><br /></span><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa";color:black'><br />Professionals in early childhood education and child development have found several indicators of good quality care for preschool children. You will especially want to meet the adults who will care for your child--they are responsible for every aspect of the program's operation.<br /><br /><strong><span style='font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:"Estrangelo Edessa"'>Who will care for your child?</span></strong></span></p><ul> <li> <span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family:"Estrangelo Edessa";color:black'>The adults enjoy and understand how young children learn and grow.</span></li> <li><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family:"Estrangelo Edessa";color:black'>The staff view themselves positively and therefore can continually foster children's emotional and<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span> social development.</span></li> <li><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family:"Estrangelo Edessa";color:black'>There are enough adults to work with a group and to care for the individual needs of children.</span></li> <li><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family:"Estrangelo Edessa";color:black'>All staff members work together cooperatively.</span></li> <li><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family:"Estrangelo Edessa";color:black'>Staff observe and record each child's progress and development.</span></li></ul><p style="margin-right:119.25pt"><strong><span style='font-size:9.5pt; font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:"Estrangelo Edessa";color:black'>What program activities and equipment are offered?</span></strong></p><ul> <li> <p style="margin-right:119.25pt"><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family:"Estrangelo Edessa";color:black'>The environment fosters the growth and development of young children working and playing together.</span></p> </li> <li> <p style="margin-right:119.25pt"><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family:"Estrangelo Edessa";color:black'>A good center provides appropriate and sufficient equipment and play materials and makes them readily available.</span></p> </li> <li> <p style="margin-right:119.25pt"><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family:"Estrangelo Edessa";color:black'>Children are helped to increase their language skills and to expand their understanding of the world.</span></p> </li></ul><p><strong><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa";color:black'>How do the staff relate to your family and the community?</span></strong></p><ul> <li><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family:"Estrangelo Edessa";color:black'>A good program considers and supports the needs of the entire family.</span></li> <li><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family:"Estrangelo Edessa";color:black'>Staff in a good center are aware of and contribute to community resources.</span></li></ul><p><strong><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa";color:black'>Are the facility and program designed to meet the varied demands of young children, their families, and the staff?</span></strong></p><ul> <li><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family:"Estrangelo Edessa";color:black'>The health of children, staff, and parents is protected and promoted.</span></li> <li><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family:"Estrangelo Edessa";color:black'>The facility is safe for all children and adults.</span></li> <li><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family:"Estrangelo Edessa";color:black'>The environment is spacious enough to accommodate a variety of activities and equipment.</span></li></ul><p><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:"Estrangelo Edessa"; color:black'>The recommendations noted above were taken from the brochure <strong>"How to Choose a Good Early Childhood Program"</strong> published by the <a href="http://www.naeyc.org">National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)</a>. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>For further information about how to select a good program, consult the <a href="http://www.state.il.us/dcfs/daycare/index.shtml">Illinois Department of Children & Family Services</a> (your state licensing agency), <a href="http://chasiccrr.org/index.phtml">Children’s Home & Aid Society of Illinois<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span> Child Care Resource and Referral</a> agency serving Southwestern Illinois or contact NAEYC at:</span></p><p>1509 16th Street, N.W.<br />Washington DC 20036-1426<br />(202) 232-8777<br />(800) 424-2460<br />FAX (202) 328-1846</p><p><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:"Estrangelo Edessa"; color:black'>For comprehensive child care information, subsidy and referral services in your area call Children's Home and Society of Illinois (CHASI) Child Care Resource and Referral Network at:</span></p><p><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:"Estrangelo Edessa"; color:black'><br /><strong>(800) 467-9200.</strong></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><!--EndFragment-->