Golden Index Introduces the First Independent Quality Certification for Kindergartens and Early Learning Centers
A New International Standard Gives American Families a Reliable, Independent Benchmark for Choosing Early Childhood Education. The certification system that has been missing from early childhood education worldwide is now open to institutions across the United States
United States, 12th Jun 2026 – Golden Index, an independent international certification body for early childhood education, today announces its launch in the United States. The organisation is now accepting applications from kindergartens, preschools, and early learning centers across the country, becoming the first independent body to offer a rigorous, internationally recognised quality standard for early childhood institutions.
Its US launch follows successful entries into Singapore, Malaysia, and the United Arab Emirates.
The Problem No One Has Solved
American parents spend more time researching a hotel stay than they do evaluating the institution where their child will spend the most formative years of their life. That is not a failure of parenting. It is a failure of information.
UNICEF research shows that 90% of brain development occurs before the age of five. The connections formed in these years shape a child’s capacity for language, reasoning, and emotional regulation for life.
Research by Nobel laureate economist James Heckman further demonstrates that children in high-quality early learning programs carry measurable advantages into adulthood, including higher rates of completed schooling and stable employment.
More than 175 million children under five are not enrolled in any form of pre-primary education (UNESCO). Of those who are enrolled, access to independently verified, high-quality provision remains the exception.
Without a trusted quality standard, families cannot reliably distinguish excellent institutions from adequate ones, and educators who do exceptional work have no credential to prove it.
Leadership Perspective
Leadership at Golden Index highlighted the urgency behind the launch and the gap in early childhood education standards:
“Every year, millions of American families make one of the most important decisions of their lives without a single independent quality signal to guide them. We think that is unacceptable, and we are here to change it.”
— Jan Chew, Co-Founder
“The United States has some of the most extraordinary early childhood educators in the world. They deserve a credential that reflects the quality of their work and gives families the confidence to choose them.”
— Jessica Chew, Co-Founder
The Certification Framework
Founded by Jan Chew and Jessica Chew, whose backgrounds span more than 20 years in Social Pedagogy, Diagnostics, and early childhood quality assurance, Golden Index evaluates institutions across 6 core dimensions and 30 distinct criteria:
Assessments are conducted through structured on-site visits by qualified field assessors. Every institution receives a comprehensive written report.
Where standards are met, the institution is awarded the Golden Index Certificate of Excellence, a digital badge, and a listing in the international Golden Index directory.
Institutions that fall short receive a detailed improvement roadmap and one complimentary re-evaluation.
Why Now
State licensing standards in the United States set a compliance floor, not a quality ceiling. Informal review platforms lack methodological rigour.
Meanwhile, OECD research confirms that by age five, children from disadvantaged backgrounds are already on average 12 months behind their peers in literacy and pro-social behaviour. The window to close that gap is short, and the tools currently available to families are not equal to the task.
Golden Index provides what neither state licensing nor online reviews can offer: a structured, independent, internationally comparable quality standard that works for families and rewards institutions that lead.
Applications Now Open
Golden Index is now accepting applications from kindergartens, preschools, and early learning centers across the United States.
Institutions certified during this inaugural phase will be recognised as founding members of the Golden Index community in the United States.
Full details and the application form are available at www.goldenindex.org. Enquiries can be directed to info@goldenindex.org.
MEDIA CONTACT
International Enquiries
press@goldenindex.org
General Contact
info@goldenindex.org
NOTES FOR EDITORS
Jan Chew and Jessica Chew are available for interview, on background, and for written comment. High-resolution imagery, founder biographies, and certification badge assets are available upon request.
© 2026 Golden Index. All rights reserved.
Company Details
Organization: Golden Index
Contact Person: Jan Chew
Website: https://www.goldenindex.org/
Email: Send Email
Country: United States
Release Id: 12062646022