Choosing a preschool is a significant decision, and verifying a program's official standing is a crucial step in the process. A valid license and meaningful accreditation are strong indicators of a program's commitment to health, safety, and quality education. This guide will walk you through the practical steps to check these credentials in your area, empowering you to make an informed choice with confidence.
Understanding Licensing and Accreditation
First, it's important to know the difference between these two terms. Licensing is a mandatory state requirement that sets the baseline for health, safety, and staff qualifications. It ensures a program meets minimum legal standards for operation. Accreditation, on the other hand, is a voluntary process where a program is evaluated against national standards of quality that often exceed state licensing requirements. Accreditation bodies, like the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), assess curriculum, teacher-child interactions, and family engagement.
How to Check a Preschool's License
Licensing is managed at the state level, typically by a department of health and human services, education, or children and families. The process for accessing this public information is generally straightforward.
- Identify Your State's Licensing Agency: Perform an online search for "[Your State] child care licensing" or "[Your State] office of early childhood."
- Use the Online Database: Most states maintain a searchable online database of licensed providers. You can search by the program's name, location, or license number.
- Review the License Record: The record should show the license status (active, expired, provisional), the licensed capacity, any age ranges served, and the license expiration date. Crucially, it should also note any complaints, violations, or enforcement actions taken against the program. Reviewing this history is essential.
- Contact the Agency Directly: If online information is unclear or unavailable, call the licensing agency. They can confirm a program's status and answer specific questions.
How to Verify Accreditation
Since accreditation is voluntary, you will need to check with the specific accrediting body. The most widely recognized accreditor for early childhood programs is NAEYC.
- For NAEYC accreditation, visit their official website and use their accredited program search tool. You can verify a program's current accredited status and see its accreditation expiration date.
- Other accrediting organizations exist, such as the National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs (NAC) or faith-based accreditors. If a program claims accreditation, ask for the name of the accreditor and verify it directly on that organization's website.
Key Questions to Ask During Your Visit
While verifying credentials online is a critical first step, your in-person visit is the time to ask deeper questions. You can ask the director or teacher:
- "May I see a copy of your current state license?"
- "Are you accredited? If so, by which organization, and may I see the certificate?"
- "Can you tell me about your most recent licensing visit? Were there any findings or areas for improvement?"
- "How do you use the accreditation standards to guide your daily practices and curriculum?"
Taking these steps demonstrates due diligence and shows providers that you are an engaged and informed parent. Research from organizations like NAEYC consistently shows that high-quality early learning environments, often reflected in strong licensing compliance and voluntary accreditation, contribute positively to children's social, emotional, and cognitive development. By verifying these credentials, you are laying a foundation of safety and quality for your child's first educational experience.