"Early learning experiences are crucial to the growth and development of young children," said Susette Vazquez, Director of Family Campus Preschool. "At our school we provide opportunities for all of us to recognize the importance of the early years, and to work together to build better futures for all children."

Family Campus Preschool, a program of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove, first opened its doors in 1999 to a community requesting quality programs for early education. The school was accredited by National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) in 2001 after only two years of operation which is virtually unsurpassed. Serving 18 months to school aged children, the school excels in providing "The Positive Place For Kids!"

The Success By 6 Star-Quality Rating System is the first system in Orange County that incrementally rates childcare centers for quality and increases community awareness regarding the importance of quality in childcare. Using the well-established measures - the Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale and NAEYC Accreditation - the Star-Quality Rating System assigns a star-rating of 1 to 5 with NAEYC Accreditation being the highest or 5th star.

Why do investments in early childhood education matter?
- Research shows that the years from birth to 6 are the most crucial years for brain development.
- Licensing is a state regulation that provides only for basic health and safety of children in group settings. But national accreditation, through the NAEYC, goes beyond licensing requirements to define a standard of excellence for programs for young children.
- The overall supply of childcare programs in Orange County does not meet community needs; there is only 1 licensed child care space for every 7 children with working parents.
- Quality Rating Systems are now in place in 10 states and in development in more than half the country. These systems improve the quality of early learning and empower parents to become savvy consumers and choose the best early education and care for their children.
- Investments in young children's development pay many long-term dividends. Well-document longitudinal studies have shown that quality early childhood education increases children's success in school and throughout their lives.

Across the country, young children and their families depend on quality education and care, which help children get a great start, and bring lasting benefits for our society as a whole.

Family Campus Preschool has 13 early childhood professionals working together to improve professional practice and working conditions in early childhood education, and to build public support for high-quality early childhood education programs.

Click here for more information on our preschool.