About Us
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) has developed a list of criteria for parents to use in evaluating preschool programs for their children. The sections below outline how we stack up to five key standards.
Relationships
NAEYC –– “The program promotes positive relationships among all children and adults. It encourages each child’s sense of individual worth and belonging as part of a community.”
How to evaluate a program
Children and adults feel welcome when they visit the program. Teachers help new children adjust to the program and make friends.
Children are encouraged to play and work together.
What our parents say
“We are so grateful for Chico Oaks Preschool. The kindness and compassion that has been shown to our family over the years is beyond any other experience we have had with other childcare facilities. Each day our little one was excited to go see her teachers, they built her up, loved her and also were extremely patient with some of her undesirable behaviors. The teachers all took their time to help her grow both academically and socially. We were sad to be heading to kindergarten but she was beyond prepared and our transition was smooth, other than her missing her ‘other family.’ The positive reinforcement that was used helped her use the potty confidently, stop hitting, develop emotional maturity, and also her vocabulary and communication skills greatly improved. We will forever be grateful for everyone at Chico Oaks and recommend them to anyone looking for the best care for their child.”
Jenni (parent 2020-2023)
Curriculum
NAEYC “ The program implements a curriculum that is consistent with its goals for children and promotes learning and development in each of the following areas: social, emotional, physical, language and cognitive.”
How to evaluate a program
Children are given opportunities to learn and develop through exploration and play, and teachers have opportunities to work with individual children and small groups on specific skills.
Activities are designed to help children get better at reasoning, solving problems, getting along with other and using language.
Chico Oaks uses Zoo Phonics and a yearly thematic curriculum.
What our parents say
“Chico Oaks Preschool far exceeded what I had hoped for in finding a learning environment for my children prior to elementary school.“
Tiana (mother of 4 children who attended)
Families
NAEYC says “ the program establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with each child’s family to foster children’s development in all settings.
What to look for in a program:
All families are welcome and encouraged to be involved in all aspects of the program.
Teachers talk with families about their family structure.
The program uses a variety of strategies to communicate with parents.
What our parents say
“God, parent involvement, and more are attributes of Chico Oaks Preschool. My four children learned and grew into little humans, while I had to be away at work. My youngest is now in Kindergarten and I still send photos to Teacher K, because of the bond that was formed during those wonderful preschool years. I would recommend my friends, siblings, and co-workers to Chico Oaks Preschool.”
Tiana (mother of 4 children who attended)
Teaching
NAEYC says “Children have different learning styles, needs, capacities, interests and backgrounds. By recognizing these differences and using instructional approaches that are appropriate for each child, teachers help all children learn”
What to look for:
Teachers carefully supervise all children
Teachers provide time each day for indoor and outdoor activities and organize time and space so that children have opportunities to work or play individually and in groups
Children’s recent work is displayed in the classroom to help children reflect on and extend their learning
Staff Competencies
NAEYC says “the program employs and supports a teaching staff with the educational qualifications, knowledge and professional commitment necessary to promote children’s learning and development and to support children’s learning and development.”
What to look for:
Teaching staff have educational qualifications and specialized knowledge about young children and early childhood development.
The programs makes provisions for ongoing staff development.
Teaching staff have training in the program’s curriculum and work as a teaching team.
