UP 4 WS Quality Preschool Criteria

Quality preschool programs address all areas of a child's development, including his or her social, emotional, intellectual and physical development. To be a part of UP 4 WS, a preschool must meet or exceed the following quality guidelines:

Facility: Preschools will have attractive, spacious outdoor areas for safe, vigorous activities; a supply of appropriate materials and toys on site; areas for quiet play or activities; and passing scores in each of the following Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale (ECERS) or Family Daycare Rating (FDCRS) categories:

Space and Furnishings	Interactions
Personal Care Routines	Program Structure
Language-Reasoning	Parents and Staff
Activities

Curriculum/Content Standards: California's Pre-kindergarten Learning Development Guidelines will be followed, with daily opportunities for early literacy, the arts, science, math, health/nutrition, social skills/relationship building, physical and group activities.

Education and Training: Master Teachers or Program Directors will possess or be in the process of obtaining bachelor's degrees in Early Childhood Education (ECE)/Child Development. Assistant Teachers will possess associate's degrees with 24 core ECE units.

• Any teaching staff not meeting the above requirements must follow a written plan to satisfy them by 2010.

Adult-to-Child Ratios and Group Size: Preschools will offer a balance of individual-, small- and large-group activities as well as spontaneous play and teacher-guided activities. Staff-to-child ratios at center-based preschools will not exceed 3:24 or 2:20. Family daycare and small program providers will have:

• No fewer than six children, ages 2.5-5.
• One qualified teacher for every six to 10 preschoolers.
• Separate preschool and infant/toddler care during scheduled preschool times.

Cultural Sensitivity: Acknowledgement and respect for all children and families will include validation for their individual, personal, cultural and linguistic identities.

Family Partnerships: Providers will invite and support parental involvement and participation, including a formal mechanism for written feedback and twice-yearly conferences with parents.

Developmental Screenings: Developmental screenings using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire will ensure special needs children are identified and referred appropriately.

Assessments: Preschools will assess individual student progress as well as program/curriculum effectiveness using the Desired Results Developmental Profile.