Why Early Childhood Education Matters

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At Lemay Child & Family Center, we are dedicated to following research-based practices that have been proven to positively impact the lives of children and families.  With more than 60% of women with children under age six in the workforce, families require reliable childcare services, and children deserve high-quality care and education, regardless of their family’s financial situation.  When families have reliable childcare, the parents are able to work or go to school, without worrying about their child’s safety … without wondering if their children are learning and developing.

Lemay Child & Family Center is proud to meet the highest national standards for early childhood education, as evidenced by our accreditation through the National Association for the Education of Young Children.  This means that children in our community have access to a program that meets standards in 10 key areas: Relationships, Curriculum, Teaching, Assessment of Child Progress, Health, Teachers, Families, Community Relationships, Physical Environment, and Leadership and Management.

We have compiled here, a list of local and national organizations that can provide information about the importance of high-quality early childhood education, and its impact on families.

Child Day Care Association of St. Louis (CDCA) www.childcarestl.org

We have been a member of CDCA for many years and benefit from their staff training programs, consulting services, and inclusion services.

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)  www.naeyc.org

We have been accredited by NAEYC since 2004.

Center for the Study of Social Policy www.cssp.org and www.strengtheningfamilies.net

CSSP conducted a major national research project which studied the impact of early childhood education programs on reducing child abuse and neglect.  Based on their research, they developed a framework for early childhood centers to follow.  This framework, called Strengthening Families, has been adopted by Lemay Child & Family Center.

The Heckman Equation  www.heckmanequation.org

Professor James Heckman, an economist at the University of Chicago, has researched the economic impact of investing in high-quality early childhood education.

Zero to Three  www.zerotothree.org

This organization focuses on the health and development of infants and toddlers.