Center for Families celebrates NAEYC accreditation
04/26/2011
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The Center for Families is proud to have earned NAEYC Accreditation – the mark of
quality for early childhood education programs.
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Edmonds College’s Center for Families Childcare and Head Start programs are now accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) — the nation’s leading organization of early childhood professionals which oversees quality in early childhood education.
The accreditation is testament to the Center for Families’ high-quality programs that offer a safe and nurturing environment while promoting the development of young children. The childcare and Head Start programs serve about 100 families each quarter.
“The Center for Families underwent a process of self-study and improvement to attain this national accreditation and we are pleased to be able to offer this mark of quality to our families, and to be recognized for our commitment to reaching the highest professional standards,” said Center for Families director Lisa Neumann.
“NAEYC Accreditation lets families in our community know that children in our program are getting the best care and early learning experiences possible.”
NAEYC Accredited programs must meet 10 standards: promote positive relationships for all children and adults; implement a curriculum that fosters all areas of child development; use effective teaching approaches; provide ongoing assessments of a child’s learning and development; promote the nutrition and health of children; support a qualified teaching staff; maintain collaborative relationships with each child’s family; use community resources to support program goals; provide a safe and healthy physical environment; and ensure high quality experiences for all children, families, and staff.
NAEYC Accreditation is awarded for five years. During that period, programs submit annual reports documenting their compliance with NAEYC standards and may receive unannounced site visits by program assessors.
Edmonds College’s Center for Families is home to the college’s on campus childcare center (infants to five year olds — open to the community when space is available) and Head Start preschool. It serves as a training facility to model best practices in childcare and parenting to help expand excellent childcare throughout the region. Students in Early Childhood Education and Family Support Studies programs at the college gain practical experience in the best practices for working with children and families at the center.
In the 25 years since NAEYC Accreditation was established, it has become a widely recognized sign of high-quality early childhood education. More than 7,000 programs are currently accredited by NAEYC — approximately eight percent of all preschools and other early childhood programs.
“The NAEYC Accreditation system raises the bar for child care centers and other early childhood programs,” said Jerlean E. Daniel, Ph.D, executive director of NAEYC. “Having earned NAEYC Accreditation is a sign that the Center for Families is a leader in a national effort to invest in high-quality early childhood education.”
The NAEYC Accreditation system has set voluntary professional standards for programs for young children since 1985. In September 2006, the Association revised program standards and criteria to introduce a new level of quality, accountability, and service for parents and children in childcare programs. The new standards today reflect the latest research and best practices in early childhood education and development.
NAEYC is committed to utilizing the newest studies and analysis on positive child outcomes to ensure young children continue receiving the highest-quality care and education possible.