Proposing quality standards for Nigerian pre-primary centers, this paper argues that the first concern must be the provision of adequate care in the form of high quality health, safety, and nutritional conditions. Care is discussed in terms of illness policy, routines for good health, physical characteristics of centers, personal hygiene, "babyproofing" the environment, special safety precautions, and recommended foods for centers' meal plans. It is further argued that after centers have met criteria of adequate care, they may begin to consider educational issues, such as instructional staff, curriculum content, and teaching methods. Educational issues are discussed in terms of developmentally appropriate experiences for children, staff qualifications and experience, personality characteristics desired of teachers, in-service teacher education, and parent participation. The paper concludes by providing a copy of the Quality Standards Checklist/Rating Scale for Nigerian Pre-Primary Centres, a tool recommended for use by parents, center personnel, researchers, agents of government, and policymakers in evaluating existing and newly proposed pre-primary centers. (RH)