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Accreditation

NAEYC National Association for the Education of Young Children

NAEYC is the leading membership association for those working with and on behalf of children from birth through age 8. NAEYC convenes thought leaders, teachers and other practitioners, researchers, and
other stakeholders and sets standards of excellence for programs and teachers in early childhood education. NAEYC members include teachers, paraeducators, center directors, trainers, college educators, families of young children, and the public at large. Membership is open to all individuals who share a desire to serve and act on behalf of the needs and rights of all young children.
Learn more about NAEYC

You have chosen a program for your child that is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). NAEYC administers the largest and most widely recognized accreditation system for all types of early childhood programs and child care centers. NAEYC, the nation’s largest organization of early childhood educators, created its accreditation program in 1985 to set professional standards for early childhood education, and to help families identify high-quality child care and early education programs. The Boise State University Children’s Center has been accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children since March 1993.

What is Accreditation?

Early childhood programs accredited by the NAEYC Academy for Early Childhood Program Accreditation have voluntarily undergone a comprehensive process of internal self-study and improvement. Each NAEYC-accredited program must meet all 10 of the NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards and more than 400 related criteria. Programs are accredited by NAEYC for a five-year period. For more information visit http://rightchoiceforkids.org.

What is a high-quality early childhood program?

High-quality programs provide a safe and nurturing environment while promoting the development of young children. NAEYC-accredited programs show their quality by meeting the 10 NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards, which are based on the latest research on the education and development of young children. All NAEYC-accredited programs must:

  1. Promote positive relationships for all children and adults.
  2. Implement a curriculum that fosters all areas of children’s development- cognitive, emotional, language, physical, and social.
  3. Use developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate and effective teaching approaches.
  4. Provide ongoing assessments of child progress.
  5. Promote the nutrition and health of children and staff.
  6. Employ and support qualified teaching staff.
  7. Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with families.
  8. Establish and maintain relationships with and use resources of the community.
  9. Provide a safe and healthy physical environment.
  10. Implement strong program management policies that result in high-quality service.