Special to the News-Sun
AVON PARK -- Avon Park Community Child Development Center, in Avon Park, is one of the first early childhood programs to earn accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children - the nation's leading organizations of early childhood professionals.
"We're proud to have earned the mark of quality from NAEYC and to be recognized for our commitment to reaching the highest professional standards," said Velma Lumpkin, executive director of the center.
"NAEYC Accreditation lets families in our community know that children in our program are getting the best care and early learning experiences possible."
To earn NAEYC Accredit-ation in the new system, APCCDC went through an extensive self-study process, measuring the program and its services against the 10 new NAEYC Early Childhood Program Stand-ards and more than 400 related Accreditation Criteria. The program received NAEYC Accreditation after an onsite visit by NAEYC Assessors to ensure that the program meets each of the 10 NAEYC program standards. NAEYC-accredited programs are also subject to unannounced visits during their accreditation, which lasts for five years.
In the 20 years since NAEYC Accreditation was established, it has become a widely recognized sign of high-quality early childhood education. More than 11,000 programs, serving one million young children, are currently accredited by NAEYC - approximately 8 percent of all preschools and other early childhood programs.
"The new NAEYC Accreditation system raises the bar for preschools, child care centers and other early childhood programs," said Dr. Mark Ginsenberg, executive director of NAEYC. "APCCDC's NAEYC Acc-reditation is a sign that they are a leader in a national effort to invest in high-quality early childhood education and to help give all children a better start."
The NAEYC Accredit-ation system has set voluntary professional standards for programs for young children since 1985. As of September 2006, the association's revised program standards and criteria have introduced a new level of quality, accountability and service for parents and children in child care programs. The new standards 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.
The NAEYC Accredit-ation system was created in 1985 to set professional standards for early childhood education and to help families identify high-quality preschools, child care centers and other early educational programs.
To earn NAEYC Accredit-ation, a program must meet each of the 10 NAEYC Early Childhood Program Stand-ards.
Programs are accredited by NAEYC for a five-year period.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008 - www.newssun.com/0917-Accredit