Preschool licensing is done by a state or locality and shows that a preschool, daycare or early childhood education center has met minimum health, safety and teacher training standards set by the governing body. For some states, a license just signifies that a preschool is a registered business.
When evaluating preschools for your child, ask to see the license to make sure it is up-to-date. You can also check a preschool's license by calling your state or county social services department.
Licensing assures that a program meets basic safety and quality standards. Accredited programs must meet higher criteria. Although a license does not guarantee that a preschool offers a quality education, you should not consider a facility that does not have a license.
