The Multiphased Need Assessment for Program Decisions (MAP) was designed to inform decision makers of a large urban school district concerning the need for early childhood programs in the community. The goals were to indicate the types of programs desired by the community; to bring together public school preschool experts; and to coordinate community perceptions, preschool professional expertise, and parental desires in a study preliminary to preschool program planning. This paper outlines the MAP process and discusses MAP implementation and findings. The study utilized three separate need assessment techniques: (1) community forums; (2) key informant process; and (3) nominal group technique. MAP resulted in full descriptions of program ideas agreed upon by community members, preschool professionals, and parents of preschool children. Following the study, a pilot preschool project was begun in three schools. These programs were successful enough to merit expanded services the second year after completion of the need study. The diversity of input and the potential for building consensus and developing commitment to resulting programs are unique results of the MAP process. The appendices contain data collected through each of the assement techniques used in the study. (PN)