After 18 months and countless hours of classroom observations, policy and procedure reviews and creating portfolios containing evidence of proof, Naval Station Everett Child Development Center’s hard work and commitment to children paid off.

In late October, they received notification of their accreditation through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Their accreditation status will remain in effect until 2012.

A leading agency in accrediting childcare programs serving children eight years of age and younger, NAEYC has dedicated the last 80 years working toward raising the professional standards for early childhood education programs. 

NAEYC’s accreditation process is no easy task. Childcare programs wishing to become accredited not only make a commitment to lifelong process improvement, they must meet and show evidence of proof of the agencies ten standards of quality.

Each standard, as the Web site indicates, “…describes an essential element that together with the other nine standards provide a definition for quality child care….”

These standards govern areas such as relationships, health and safety, curriculum, assessing children’s progress and teaching, to name a few.

According to Patricia Vierra, training and curriculum specialist for Naval Station Everett, the accreditation process takes approximately 18 months.

“We began with a year long self study period in which we conducted classroom observations as well as reviewed and updated policies and procedures,” Vierra said. “We looked at how we did things and found ways to make improvements to our program, curriculum and administration.”

Staff, program administrators, parents and the children were all involved in the process.

“Upon completion of the self-study period, the following six months were spent making classroom and program portfolios, providing documented proof of evidence of each of the accreditation standards,” Vierra added.

During this time, classroom teachers took photos, made observations and completed volumes of scrapbooks for the last phase of the process: the endorsement visit.

In late July, NAEYC made an unannounced visit to the base to observe the program and review their documentation. Three months later, the good news finally arrived.

“We are so excited to finally get the recognition our facility and program deserves,” said Judy McDonald, Child Development Center director. “Our staff works hard to provide high quality programs and care to all our children enrolled and to achieve this status is gratifying.”

Accredited early childcare programs in Snohomish County are few and far between. Naval Station Everett’s Child Development Center is the first program in the state to become accredited under the NAEYC’s new system. Although their hard work has paid off, by no means can they slack off now.

As a part of their accreditation status, the program is required to submit an annual report of continuation of improvement; NAEYC has the right to revoke a program’s accreditation status at any time if they feel the program is not making the grade.

Although it is a lengthy and time-consuming process, it is a requirement for all Child Development Centers operated by the Department of the Navy.