66 Part One The Children and You
and parents. This process provides
valuable professional development
experiences. Next, a validation visit
is conducted on-site by trained
professionals. The final step is fi
a decision by a team of experts
representing the National Academy
of Early Childhood Programs.
A recent study shows that
accreditation has improved
program quality. The process has
made improvements a smoother
Categories of Center Operations Covered
by the Accreditation Process
Evaluation processes
Curriculum
Administration
Health and safety
y Physical environmen nt
Staff qualification and development fi
Staff-children interactions
Staff-parent interactions
Staffi ng patterns
Nutrition and food services
A A quality q y early y childhood program p g will meet the developmental p needs of
children. c It also fosters positive interactions between families, staff, and
administrators involved in the program.
y
A
c
2-11
Standards for Quality Practice
Association Types of Programs
National Association for th he Education
of Young Children
Birth through kindergarten programs
National After-School Ass so ciation School-age programs
National Association for Family F Child
Care
Family child care programs
National Association of Child Care
Professionals
Child care centers
and easier process. Center
directors reported the greatest
gains in the areas of curriculum,
followed by administration,
health, and safety. Most directors
also reported that accreditation
had increased the visibility of
their programs. Figure 2-12
contains a list of organizations
that have accepted standards for
quality practice.
These Th es e organizations or ga ni za ti on s have ha ve s s tandards ta nd ar ds f f or or q q uality ua li ty p p ractice ra ct ic e. A A re re t t heir he ir
n names familiar to you?
T T
n
2-12
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