LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Langley Child Development Programs are among the first early childhood programs to earn accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children, or NAEYC, the nation's leading organization of early childhood professionals.
The Langley Child Development programs received NAEYC Accreditation May 30 after an on-site visit by NAEYC assessors to ensure the program meets each of the ten NAEYC program standards.
"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 Roland Taylor, Airman and Family Services flight chief,. "NAEYC accreditation lets families on base and in our community know that children in our program are getting the best care and early learning experiences possible."
To earn NAEYC accreditation in the new system, Langley Child Development Programs went through an extensive self-study process, measuring the program and its services against the ten new NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards and more than 400 related accreditation criteria. NAEYC-accredited programs are also subject to unannounced visits during their accreditation, which lasts for five years.
"The new NAEYC accreditation system raises the bar for preschools, child care centers and other early childhood programs," said Mark Ginsberg, Ph.D., executive director of NAEYC. "Langley Child Development Program's NAEYC accreditation 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."
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 NAEYC accreditation system has set voluntary professional standards for programs for young children since 1985. In September 2006, the Association's revised program standards and criteria introduced a new level of quality, accountability and service for parents and children in childcare 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.