Transcript A Guide to NAEYC Accreditation

A Guide to NAEYC
Accreditation
Tracy Carrigan
Christina DiStefano
Michelle Fitzpatrick
What is NAEYC?
• National Association for the Education of
Young Children.
• NAEYC is dedicated to improving the wellbeing of all young children. Particular focus
is on the quality of educational and
developmental services.
NAEYC’s Mission
• To promote high quality, developmentally
appropriate programs that support the
physical, social, emotional and cognitive
development for all children while
responding to the needs of their families.
Developmentally Appropriate
Practice
• A curriculum for young children that is
planned to be appropriate for their age span
and is implemented with attention to the
different needs, interests, and
developmental levels of individual
children.
Developmentally Appropriate Practices
result from three important kinds of
information or knowledge:
• What is known about child development and
learning.
• What is known about the strengths, interests, and
needs to each individual child in the group.
• Knowledge of the social and cultural context in
which children live.
NAEYC Commitment to
Children
• Appreciating childhood as a unique and valuable stage of the human
life cycle.
• Basing our work with children on knowledge of child development and
learning.
• Appreciating and supporting the close ties between the child and
family.
• Recognizing that children are best understood in the context of family,
culture, and society.
• Respecting the dignity, worth, and uniqueness of each individual.
• Helping children and adults achieve their full potential in the context
of relationships that are based on trust, respect, and positive regard.
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NAEYC Goals
• Improving professional practice and working
conditions in early childhood education.
• Supporting early childhood programs by working
to achieve a high quality system of early
childhood education.
• Building a high performing, inclusive organization
of groups and individuals who are committed to
promoting excellence in early childhood education
for all young children.
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NAEYC’s efforts are designed to ensure that:
• All children have access to a safe and accessible, high quality
early childhood education that includes a developmentally
appropriate curriculum; knowledgeable and well trained
program staff and educators; and comprehensive services that
support their health, nutrition, and social well-being, in an
environment that supports and respects diversity.
• All early childhood educators are supported as professionals
with ongoing professional development opportunities.
• All families have access to high quality early childhood
education programs and actively participate in their children’s
education as respected, reciprocal partners.
NAEYC Standards Focus On:
• Curriculum
• Partnerships between teachers, families,
community and children
• Assessment of child progress
• Staff development
• Physical environment
• Leadership and management
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Steps to Accreditation:
• Enroll in self study
(use NAEYC standards and accreditation performance
criteria to evaluate program and make needed improvements)
• Become an applicant
• Become a candidate
• Meet the program standards
• Pass on-site assessment by NAEYC assessors
• Approval of accreditation status
• Maintain accreditation through continued assessments
Research shows quality programs
make a difference!
• www.naeyc.org/ece/research.asp