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Chattanooga Human Services Childcare Program Earns National Accreditation
 5/20/2009Chattanooga Human Services Childcare Program Earns National Accreditation Mayor Ron Littlefield will recognize the staff and program, which is among the top in the nation, May 22, 10 a.m., at 501 W 12th St. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Chattanooga Human Services Program has earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the nation’s leading organization of early childhood professionals. The program has provided services to the community for more than 30 years and is among only six childcare centers in Chattanooga Hamilton and in the State of Tennessee that has such status. The program provides quality childcare services to low- to moderate-income families in order for them to continue their education, remain employed and to provide services for teen parents to complete their high school education. “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 Bernadine Turner, Administrator of Chattanooga Human Services. “NAEYC Accreditation lets families in our community know that children in our program are getting the best care and early learning experiences possible.” The program’s philosophy is that children should be given the necessary tools to empower them to develop to their fullest potential and that young children flourish through play, exploration and the positive examples set by the staff, Turner added. Early childhood sets the stage for each child’s contribution to the family and community in the future. To earn NAEYC Accreditation, the childcare staff completed an extensive self-study process, measuring the program and its services against 10 NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards and more than 400 related accreditation criteria. The program received NAEYC Accreditation after a site visit by NAEYC assessors to ensure the program met each of the 10 program standards. NAEYC-accredited programs also are subject to unannounced visits during the accreditation process, which continues for five years. In the 23 years since NAEYC Accreditation was established, it has become a widely recognized sign of high quality early childhood education. Almost 8,000 programs, serving one million young children, are currently accredited by NAEYC and representing approximately 8 percent of all preschools and other early childhood programs. “The NAEYC Accreditation system raises the bar for preschools, childcare centers and other early childhood programs,” said Mark Ginsberg, Ph.D., executive director of NAEYC. “Chattanooga Human Service’s NAEYC Accreditation is a sign that they are a leader in a national effort to invest in high-quality early childhood education to help give all children a better start.” The NAEYC Accreditation system has set voluntary professional standards for programs for young children since 1985. In 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 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 Accreditation system was created to set professional standards for early childhood education, and to help families identify high-quality preschools, childcare centers and other early education programs. To earn NAEYC Accreditation, a program must meet each of the 10 NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards. Programs are accredited by NAEYC for a five-year period. For more information contact: |
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