Are you choosing a child care program for your son or daughter? Are you frightened or sad about the thought of someone else taking care of your child? Many families struggle with the decision to enroll their children into child care, and once the decision is made, choosing the right program is just as hard.

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) can help parents feel good about the child care, preschool, and kindergarten programs they choose. More than 20 years ago, NAEYC created an accreditation system to improve the quality of education and care provided in programs for young children. NAEYC Accreditation has become the mark of quality, helping parents find the best possible early childhood experience.

"I think one of the greatest advances to child care was the creation of the NAEYC Accreditation system, which has helped so much to raise the quality of programs."

-T Berry Brazelton, M.D.
The Brazelton Institute
Children's Hospital Boston
Harvard Medical School


For more information about NAEYC Accreditation and the value of NAEYC-accredited programs, you can download and print these brochures and materials:

NAEYC Accreditation: The Right Choice for Kids -- a family-friendly introduction to NAEYC Accreditation, available in English and Español.

This Guide for Families ( in English and en Español ) based on the 10 standards can help you in your search for a great program.

NAEYC Accreditation: Stats and Facts -- a fact sheet about NAEYC Accreditation and the new NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards and Accreditation Criteria.

NAEYC Accreditation: Then and Now -- a flyer highlighting important changes that have been made to ensure that NAEYC Accreditation continues to be the mark of quality that parents and families can rely on when looking for child care, preschool or kindergarten programs.