Family child care providers: People who offer childcare services (full day, partial day or after school) for children ages birth to age 5
Preschools: Early childhood education programs for children ages 2.9 - 5
Child care center: Programs that provide child care services within a center that contains multiple classrooms based on age. A child care center may include a preschool program.
PQRIS - Program Quality Rating Improvement System: The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care established PQRIS in order to define indicators of quality, rooted in regulations and con child development research. Early Childhood Education and Care programs receive a PQRIS rating between Level 1 to Level 4, based on indicators that include curriculum and learning, safety and health, professional qualifications of staff, family and community engagement, and program leadership and administration.
Brain architecture: The building of the neural connections in the brain, which lays the foundation for learning and development