We use rating systems to help us decide how well a car can withstand a crash, or whether a movie is worth seeing. Now a group is advocating for a statewide star-rating system for early education choices. Our Steve Ference reports.

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BETHLEHEM, N.Y. -- After reading the book, "Strega Nona," just look around. It's very obviously pasta day at Bethlehem Preschool.

Parent Tara Rinckey said, "I have two here: A one-year-old and a four-year-old."

The real story here is not about pasta or paint, but how to let parents know which preschool may be best for their children.

"I looked at education of the teachers, the classroom supplies, the friendliness and it seemed like everyone's always happy here, so that's important," said Rinckey.

"Parents are always looking for information," said Bethlehem Preschool Co-Director Mary Morrill. "We always encourage them to visit a lot of places. You tell them if they get a good feel when they walk in, then they should use their gut instincts on picking a place."

But gut instincts only tell you so much, so a number of groups are calling for legislation that would create a five-star rating system, QualityStarsNY, for every non-public preschool program, giving parents a better taste of how different places stack up.

Patricia Skinner, Capital District Child Care Council Executive Director, said, "It's based on all different criteria. It's based on teacher education. It's based on the administration's practices, it's based on facility."

The idea's been around for years and is already implemented in 30 other states. It wouldn't be mandatory.

Even during these tough budget times, folks here say every dollar spent on early education is a recipe for better academic success down the road. After all, 90 percent of a child's brain development takes place before the age of five.

"The better investment is to invest early because it's so much better to invest early rather than to spend twice as much, three times as much, four times as much on the other end when you have to do remediation," said Skinner.

Rinckey said, "A center with stars compared to a center without stars would make a big difference in my mind as a parent."

It's an idea that advocates say can turn a parent's first impression into something more quantifiable.

Morrill said, "I think this star system will help them confirm that gut-feeling."

For more information, you can check out www.winningbeginningny.org and www.cdcccc.org.