NAEYC has set 10 standards for early childhood programs that can help families make the right choice when they are looking for a child care center, preschool, or kindergarten. The standards and criteria are also the foundation of the NAEYC Accreditation system for early childhood programs. To earn accreditation, programs must meet all 10 standards. Based on research on the development and education of young children, the standards were created with input from experts and educators from around the country. The standards define what NAEYC—the world’s largest organization of early childhood professionals—believes all early childhood programs should provide. Review this guide to help identify programs that meet NAEYC standards for high-quality programs. - See more at: http://families.naeyc.org/accredited-article/10-naeyc-program-standards#sthash.vdVm5jFr.dpuf