The Early Years School, Santa Monica

The Early Years School is a private preschool located in a residential neighborhood of Santa Monica. Founded in September of 1982, by Joy Siegel and Tama Taub, it is not affiliated with any other school. The program is half day, offering morning or afternoon sessions for children two years nine months through five years. Parent/Toddler Groups are scheduled for children the year before they start preschool. The Early Years School has been accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs since 1989. Its goal is to present an anti-bias/pro-diversity, hands on curriculum that is developmentally appropriate and fun for young children, built on their interests and inclusive of their community. Many of the specific lessons come from NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) guidelines and incorporate theories of Reggio Emilia.

The Early Years has continually maintained its accreditation since 1989, when it was the first school in Santa Monica to be so recognized and one of only six hundred schools nationwide. Early childhood programs accredited by the NAEYC have voluntarily undergone a comprehensive process of internal self-study and improvement. Each NAEYC accredited program must meet all 10 of the NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards. They are:

1. Promote positive relationships for all children and adults.
2. Implement a curriculum that fosters all areas of child development- cognitive, emotional, language, physical and social.
3. Use developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate and effective teaching approaches.
4. Provide ongoing assessments of child progress.
5. Promote the nutrition and health of children and staff.
6. Employ and support qualified teaching staff.
7. Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with families.
8. Establish and maintain relationships with, and use resources of the community.
9. Provide a safe and healthy physical environment.
10. Implement strong program management policies that result in high-quality service.