Promoting Quality through Accreditation

Read... NAEYC Sets the Standards
Read... Idaho AEYC Salutes NAFCC Accredited Providers

NAEYC Sets the Standards

For nearly 80 years, the National Association for the Education of Young Children has worked to raise the quality of programs for all children from birth through age eight. In 1985, NAEYC established a national, voluntary accreditation system to set professional standards for early childhood education programs, and to help families identify high-quality programs.

Currently there are more than 10,000 NAEYC-accredited programs, serving more than 850,000 children and their families. Idaho boasts 44 programs, serving over 2831 children throughout the state. Search for an accredited program near you by using NAEYC's Accredited Program Search.

Why choose an NAEYC-accredited program? NAEYC-accredited programs have demonstrated a commitment to providing a high quality program for young children and their families. While the NAEYC accreditation process examines the total program, greatest emphasis is placed on the quality of interactions among staff and children and the developmental appropriateness of the curriculum--what really happens to the children. Health and safety, staffing, staff qualifications, physical environment, and administration are all reviewed during accreditation, but primary consideration is given to the nature of the child's experience.

Whether your interest in early childhood programs is as a parent seeking a program for your child, as an employer looking to support your employees' child care needs, or as an interested citizen, accreditation helps you identify high quality programs. High quality is important for children and families, so parents can be reassured that their children are in good hands. And, what's good for families is also good for business and communities. In short, high quality early childhood programs benefit us all!

For more questions and answers about NAEYC accreditation visit the NAEYC website for accreditation information.

Idaho AEYC Salutes NAFCC Accredited Providers

The National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) sponsors the nationally recognized family child care Accreditation System, designed especially for FCC by hundreds of providers, parents, and other experts during a four-year, consensus-building process. Accreditation helps providers set and reach quality improvement goals and helps parents and policy-makers identify high-quality family child care.

Here are some of the benefits of Accreditation:

For Children: Accredited homes offer safe, inviting spaces and warm, nurturing care. Activities are designed to meet the needs and interests of the individual children while promoting their development.
For Parents: NAFCC Accreditation helps parents identify responsive, stimulating child care. They enjoy open communication with the provider and know that their children are growing and learning in an environment that is responsive to their individual needs.
For Employers: Stable, high-quality child care directly improves employee attendance, morale, and productivity.
For Communities: Accredited providers help to make communities attractive to families, signaling that children are well cared for and educated during their early years and before and after school.

We salute the following NAFCC Accredited Providers in Idaho: (put link to nafcc accredited programs here)

For more information on NAFCC and accreditation, visit www.nafcc.org. Remember, Idaho AEYC has mentors available to help you through the accreditation process! Dial 2-1-1 or visit www.idahoaeyc.org for more information

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