National Association for the Education of Young Children
This site designed by Rachel Hartman. Last Modified: 16 September 2015
naeyc accredited
Early
childhood programs accredited by NAEYC's National Academy of early childhood
programs have undergone a comprehensive process of internal self-study, invited
external professional review to verify compliance with Criteria for High-Quality
Early Childhood Programs, and been found to be in substantial compliance with
the Criteria. The Criteria can be found on NAEYC's website at www.naeyc.org/accreditation.
program benefits
high-quality programs
A high-quality early childhood program provides a safe and nurturing environment while promoting the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development of young children. In accredited programs, you will see the following:
* Frequent, positive, warm interactions among teachers and children * Planned, learning activities appropriate to children's age and development, such as reading stories, block building, ting, dress-up, and active outdoor play * Specially trained teachers and administrators * Ongoing professional development * Enough adults to respond to individual children * Many varied age-appropriate materials * Respect for culture and diversity * A healthy and safe environment for adults and children * Inclusive environments * Nutritious meals and/or snacks * Regular, two-way communication with families who are welcome visitors at all times * Effective administration * Ongoing, systematic evaluation
Accreditation is valid for 5 years. During that period, programs should maintain compliance with accreditation standards, document program improvements, and provide notification about major changes. For more information about the NAEYC accreditation process, please visit www.naeyc.org.