Wow, what a great question. The reason I say that is you have a huge task ahead of you. If you have found one yet, please consider the following advice. I would love to know how things are working out. There are SO many choices but finding a great one may be a challenge. I recommend Head Start. They have a fabulous reputation and are supported by the state. Good luck. Also, if you tell me where you live, I can help narrow your choices down. Instead of scheduling an appointment, do a "pop in". That will give you a first hand idea of what is going on. Look for cleanliness, safety, teachers on the floor playing with the children, licenses, and parental involvement. See what programs are offered to the parents. Look at the children. Are they happy? If they are crying, are they being ignored? Are materials hung low, on the level of the children? Are photos of the children displayed while they are playing? Are there centers: dramatic play, art, science, math, and are the materials in reach of the children? Are the books displayed nicely and are they relevant to the time of year and to the age of the children. Are crafts done by the children or are teachers putting on glue, adjusting things so that all of them look the same? Are easels out with fresh paint everyday? Ask about curriculum. Stay away from programs that push academics too early.

PA Keystone Stars is a program offered to the centers to encourage them to follow specific guidelines. Stars give money to the center so the initiative to follow these guidelines is important. Having a four star center is a great way to ensure parents that the center is using age appropriate activities and hiring quality staff. Of course, this is not always a dependable way to assess the center, but it may help.

Good luck, again, in your search. If you have any questions, I would be delighted to answer them. Contact me if you would like. I am quite familiar with the centers in Philadelphia.