The Early Intervention preschool that DD attended from 2 until 3 1/2 used ESDM. It pulls from the best of the various approaches (ABA, DTT, Floortime, TEACCH, etc.) and DD really responded to it.

The newest research says yes it is effective. And that is is better for families to carry over into the home. Though it is its "own" programing, it is really a formalized electic approach that uses overall ABA, Discrete trials, PRT, floortime similar approaches. I have yet to see any center/school promoting using it as their approach the best thing to do is to read about it, and then when you discuss how a program looks with the director/cooridinator/teachers (you will need to speak directly to the teach of the class for a true reflection of what happens in the class..ask for specifics). GOOD public schools systems (whether they say the label or not) often use ESDM ("electic" approach)