The new NAEYC Accreditation Program Support Department offers information and guidance to support quality improvement in programs serving children from birth through kindergarten and to encourage programs to seek NAEYC Accreditation. Through TORCH (The Online Resource Center Headquarters), the information call center, training sessions, and…

Lapses in supervision of children can happen in all types of programs, and even a momentary lapse can have disastrous consequences. When a lapse occurs that affects program quality and puts children at risk, it is critical to consider the nature of the incident and its lessons for future risk management. Between September 2006 and September 2009,…

In his 2005 State of the City address, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino directed the Boston Public Schools (BPS) to "provide all 4-year-olds in the city with full-day school within five years." There were several reasons for this commitment, including an emerging consensus that early childhood education makes a positive difference in long-term…

The impact of National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) guidelines was suggested by the questionnaire responses of 214 individuals involved in early childhood training. (RH)

Illustrates trends and issues associated with public policies promoting early childhood program accreditation. Describes differential rate policies in Florida, New Mexico, Kentucky, Mississippi, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Oklahoma; support provided for accreditation in Arizona, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Texas, and Wisconsin; and linking…

During the Academy's transition Goffin discusses the ongoing processes of creating early childhood program standards; updating and developing performance criteria; developing and field-testing accreditation assessment instruments; and the program standards and accreditation criteria commission's deliberations about recommendations to the Board.…

This article addresses frequently asked questions about two new policies: a five-year term for NAEYC Accreditation and a 15-day window for validation visits, with 24 hours advance notice. How the five-year policy applies to a program seeking NAEYC Accreditation depends on the program's status in the accreditation process.

Presents a teacher's journal of her experiences in the accreditation process of the Willow Wood Pre-School in Winnetka, Illinois by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs. (BB)

Examined quality of infant/toddler and preschool child care centers. Found that although overall program quality was mediocre at best, accredited programs scored better than nonaccredited programs. Preschool classrooms needed improvements in cultural awareness, child privacy, and furnishings for relaxation. For infant/toddler programs,…

A survey examined why many early childhood programs either stalled or gave up during the self-study phase of the accreditation process. Significant factors cited by survey participants were lack of time and staff turnover/program instability. Based on these results, it was recommended that the early childhood community address the issues of…

NAEYC asks members and other stakeholders in quality early childhood education to share their thinking with the Commission on NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards and Accreditation Criteria on a number of questions concerning NAEYC's future accreditation system.

Analyzes the basis on which early childhood programs are accredited and deferred and what criteria are frequently not met by accredited and deferred programs. National Academy of Early Childhood Programs decisions for accredited programs and for deferred programs are presented. The programs are then compared. (BB)