A successful preschool experience is for future learning. Children at this level are still unsure of their role at school and are just beginning to understand the learning process.

Many preschoolers experience separation anxiety, have varied experiential backgrounds and are at different levels of readiness. Good preschools provide an appropriate setting that allows each child to develop and flourish at his or her own individual pace. Programs must be diverse so that each child can fit in according to his or her developmental needs. Schools must be ready for all children so that they can proceed in a positive successful manner.

A quality program contributes to all facets of the child’s development: cognitive, physical, social and emotional. No one component can be ignored. All aspects of the young child’s potential should be challenged and enriched. Curriculum content must be relevant to the young child’s interests and should provide for interaction and hand-on experiences in a multi-sensory fashion.

The purpose of these Early Childhood Guidelines is to set forth suggested practices for directors, teachers and staff members. These guidelines will enable educators to provide quality education for the young children in a developmentally appropriate and nurturing environment.