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COC’s Early Childhood Education Center Receives NAEYC Accreditation

 

[view:node_ad=5]The College of the Canyons Center
for Early Childhood Education has obtained program reaccreditation by the National
Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) — verifying that the
program is in full compliance with nationally recognized criteria for
high-quality early childhood programs.
 
An integral part of the department of Early Childhood Education (ECE), the
center, which includes both a laboratory style toddler and pre-school programs,
is one of the first centers in the nation to earn reaccreditation status under
the NAEYC’s reinvented accreditation system which was instituted in late 2006.
 

As a result, the NAEYC accreditation validates the college’s ECE center as an
outstanding setting for teacher/caregiver training to be modeled by other
programs, while also ensuring parents that their children are enrolled in an
ECE program of the highest quality.

 

“We’re proud to again have earned the mark of quality from NAEYC, and to be
recognized for our commitment to reaching the highest professional standards,”
said Diane Stewart, dean of ECE and training programs. “NAEYC Accreditation
lets families in our community know that children in our program are getting
the best care and early learning experiences possible.”

 

To achieve NAEYC Accreditation under the new system, the college’s ECE center
volunteered to be measured against the most robust and rigorous national
standards on education, health and safety.
 


ImageConsisting of an extensive self-study process, which measures the program and
its services against the ten new NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards —
relationships; curriculum; teaching; assessment of child progress; health;
teachers; families; community relationships; physical environment; leadership
and management — and more than 400 related Accreditation Criteria, the program
received accreditation status after an on-site visit by an NAEYC assessor in
May.
 

“Through the self-study process, we were able to step back and examine all
aspects of the program which allowed us to see where we implement best
practices and where we can improve,” said Wendy Ruiz, ECE
Center toddler director.
 

Results of the accreditation site visit showed that the college’s ECE center
program standards exceeded the criteria threshold mandated for NAEYC
accreditation in all 10 areas — with nine of the 10 assessed categories
receiving a score of better than 90 percent, and six categories scoring in the
100 percentile. Programs are accredited by NAEYC for a five-year period.

 

“We are very proud of our high scores. Every staff member works hard to meet
the mark of program excellence,” said Monica Marshall, ECE
Center preschool director.
 “Evaluation and reflection help set a framework for a plan of action to
be put into place for continuous improvements and professional development
opportunities.”

 

The NAEYC Accreditation system was created in 1985 to set professional
standards for early childhood education, and to help families identify
high-quality preschools, child care centers and other early education programs.
  
 

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 eight percent of all preschools and other early
childhood programs.
 

The NAEYC’s revised program standards and criteria have introduced a new level
of quality, accountability, and service for parents and children in child care
programs — reflecting the latest research and best practices in early childhood
education and development.  
 

The College of the Canyons Center for Early Childhood Education is committed to
providing quality care and education for infants, toddlers and preschool
children, while modeling an exemplary developmentally appropriate and
culturally sensitive learning/lab environment.
 

Located on the COC campus, the Center for ECE program includes a laboratory
style Toddler and Preschool, which features a developmentally appropriate
environment, including a variety of educational and creative material designed
to stimulate both learning and social interaction. The primary focus of the program
is to promote feelings of competence and self worth, which will serve as a
strong foundation in the child’s future growth and education.
 

For more information about the College of the Canyons Department of Early
Childhood Education or the campus’ Center for Early Childhood Education please
visit www.canyons.edu/ece
, or call (661) 362-3501

COC’s Early Childhood Education Center Receives NAEYC Accreditation

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