THE DEVELOPMENT AND EXTENSION OF NURSERY SCHOOLS AND KINDERGARTENS ARE DISCUSSED. RESEARCH REVEALS THAT A WELL-PLANNED PROGRAM CAN AID PHYSICAL, SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE STUDENTS. TYPES OF SCHOOLS INCLUDE THOSE COMPLETELY WITHIN PUBLIC SYSTEMS, PARENT COOPERATIVES, AND SCHOOLS SPONSORED BY COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES. NURSERY SCHOOLS AND KINDERGARTENS FOR EDUCATIONALLY DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN ARE BEING ESTABLISHED IN MANY COMMUNITIES, PARTICULARLY IN LARGER CITIES. CONTINUED ACTION BY STATE DEPARTMENTS OF EDUCATION IS ESSENTIAL TO GUARANTEE A GOOD QUALITY OF EDUCATION AND TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE FINANCING AND PROTECTIVE LEGISLATION. IN PLANNING PROGRAMS, THE CHARACTERISTICS OF YOUNG CHILDREN SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT. VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT INCLUDE SIZE, INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY, AND SOCIAL SKILLS. THE MOST ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS ARE PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE AND LEADERSHIP. QUALIFIED TEACHERS WHO HAVE BROAD ACADEMIC BACKGROUNDS, DESIRABLE PERSONAL QUALITIES, AND PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES ARE NECESSARY. PROGRAMS PROVIDE FOR ACTIVITIES WHICH DRAW FROM ALL CURRICULUM AREAS, INCLUDING SOCIAL STUDIES, SCIENCE, LANGUAGE ARTS, NUMBER RELATIONSHIPS, HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION, AND THE ARTS. ADEQUATE OUTDOOR AND INDOOR SPACE, EQUIPMENT, AND MATERIALS ARE ESSENTIAL. THE MOST SATISFACTORY METHOD OF REPORTING A CHILD'S GROWTH AND PROGRESS IS THE INDIVIDUAL PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCE. EVALUATION OF A NURSERY SCHOOL OR KINDERGARTEN ENVIRONMENT SHOULD ACCOUNT FOR MATERIALS, THE QUALITY OF PROGRAMS AND TEACHING, AND THE AMOUNT OF PARENT PARTICIPATION. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED.