NAEYC Accreditation represents the mark of quality in early childhood programs.  To achieve this distinction, early childhood education programs must volunteer to be measured against the rigorous national standards on education, health and safety.

The NAEYC self-study process is about making your classroom or program an even better place for children's development and learning.  It is an opportunity to acknowledge what your program is doing well, and identify areas where your program could do even better.

How can SAEYC help in your quest for NAEYC Accreditation? 

Our affiliate has a self-study kit which outlines quality standards and criteria for improvement and we would share this with any program interested in learning more about the Accreditation process.  We can also offer technical support from members representing currently Accredited centers who are familiar with the steps necessary for the journey of program improvement.  The Accreditation system and the example set by each NAEYC Accredited program will help families, educators, and many others in our community recognize the value of setting high standards for all programs for young children.

See important links listed below.

NAEYC Newly Accreditated Programs

The following programs were recognized at the 2009 SAEYC Annual Membership Dinner.  County Executive, Joanne Mahoney honored these local NAEYC Accredited Centers and Two-Year Degree Programs along with SAEYC by celebrating their hard work.

• Agri-Business Child Development Center
       Leonardsville, NY     Director, Erica Gavett

• Bernice M. Wright Child Development Laboratory School
       Syracuse, NY     Director, Daria Webber

• Cayuga Community College AAS Degree
       Auburn, NY     Director, Patricia Gridley

• Cayuga Community College Pre-School Child Care Center
       Auburn, NY     Director, Elizabeth DeFurio

• Children's Beginnings
       Syracuse, NY     Director, Tricia Barbaglia

• Children's Center of Oswego
       Oswego, NY     Director, Kathleen Lea

• Children's Learning Center
       Syracuse, NY     Director, Michele Ferguson

• County North Children's Center, Inc
       Liverpool, NY     Director, Beth Pastel

• Oneida Indian Nation Early Learning Center
       Oneida, NY     Director, Tricia Narolis

• The Children's Center at Morrisville State College
       Morrisville, NY     Director, Jennifer Britton

• Upstate Day Care Center
       Syracuse, NY     Director, Clare White

Additional Information

Teacher Quality Partnership Grants

The Teacher Quality Partnership Grants are a new opportunity for federal funding to improve early childhood educator preparation, including compensation, mentoring and coaching.  Applicant partnerships must include an institution of higher education that prepares teachers and high-need school district.  A partnership may include a high-need early childhood program, defined as a licensed or regulated child care, Head Start or state prekindergarten program located within a high-need school district.  If the partnership includes one or more early childhood education programs, it must use the grant funds for mentoring and coaching educators and for compensation initiatives rewarding educators who obtain an Associate or Baccalaureate degree. (see link below)

For additional information about the Teacher Quality Partnership Grant program and how to apply go to:  http://www2.ed.gov/programs/tqpartnership/eligibility.html.

Accreditation Report

NAEYC released a report entitled "Elevating the Field: Using NAEYC Early Childhood Program Accreditation to Support and Reach Higher Quality in Early Childhood Programs"  This report highlights strategies that states in the United States are using to improve the quality of early childhood programs and their early care and education systems linking to NAEYC accreditation of early childhood education programs.  (see link below)

To read this report go to:  http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/policy/state/NAEYCpubpolReport.pdf.

Accreditation Links

For additional information about NAEYC Accreditation go to:  http://www.naeyc.org/ecada/

For additional information about The Online Resource Center Headquarters (TORCH) click on http://www.naeyc.org/community/torch or for an information flyer click on TORCH.