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National

is a process of
certifying whether an organization or
institution is competent, credible,
ethical, safe, up-to-date, and of quality.
NAEYC has set10
for Early Childhood Education programs
that help families and caregivers in
comparing and choosing a program for
their children. These standards are the
same criteria for .
Even organizations that issue accreditation
are, themselves, accredited through
accreditation bodies.
The system is very thorough.
Association for the
Education of
Young
Children
Accredited programs
must meet
ALL 10 .

You can think of these standards as benchmarks or a checklist
to help you assess a program.

Accreditation organizations
like NAEYC will use standards
to evaluate a programlike a
rubric or grading system.

"The 10 NAEYC Program Standards." Naecy.org. National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Web. 9 Sept. 2014. <http://families.naeyc.org/accredited-article/10-naeyc-program-standards>.
The program promotes positive relationships among all children and adults.
It encourages each childs sense of individual worth
and [their sense of] belonging as part of a community
and [it] fosters each childs ability to contribute
as a responsible community member.
What to Ask*:
Do you feel welcome?
Is it a positive
environment?
Can kids be kids?
What does problem
solving look like?
How are children
encouraged & disciplined?


The program implements a curriculum that is consistent with its goals for
children and promotes learning and development in each of the following
areas: social, emotional, physical, language, and cognitive.
"The 10 NAEYC Program Standards." Naecy.org. National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Web. 9 Sept. 2014. <http://families.naeyc.org/accredited-article/10-naeyc-program-standards>.
just means a set of subjects and lessons.
This should include both class and individual goals, routines,
schedules, lesson plans, and any needed materials. It should
ideally be themed or coordinated and progress over time.
NAEYC and the NAEYC Accreditation system do not prescribe a specific curriculum;
programs can design their own or choose a commercially available curriculum that meets
NAEYCs guidelines.

How is each area of development
being addressed?
When are children taught in large
or small groups? Individually?
What kinds of materials are
available in the classroom?


Are toys developmentally & age-
appropriate?
What are some of the aims,
objectives, or goals associated
with planned activities?
How much do children play?


What to Ask*:


"The 10 NAEYC Program Standards." Naecy.org. National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Web. 9 Sept. 2014. <http://families.naeyc.org/accredited-article/10-naeyc-program-standards>.
The program uses developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate
and effective teaching approaches that enhance each childs learning and
development in the context of the curriculum goals.
What to Ask*:
Are children well-
supervised?
Is childrens work
displayed &
acknowledged?
Do children spend
time outdoors?
How many senses
can be used in the
classroom?


"The 10 NAEYC Program Standards." Naecy.org. National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Web. 9 Sept. 2014. <http://families.naeyc.org/accredited-article/10-naeyc-program-standards>.
The program is informed by ongoing systematic, formal, and informal
assessment approaches to provide information on childrens learning
and development. These assessments occur within the context of
reciprocal communications with families and with sensitivity to the
cultural contexts in which children develop.
What to Ask*:
What sort of assessments are used?
Is there a log of observations?
A grading system?
How is each area of development
(math, science, cognitive skill, language, social-
emotional, physical) assessed?
In what ways do assessments influence
curriculum?
How will I be informed about my childs
progress?

"The 10 NAEYC Program Standards." Naecy.org. National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Web. 9 Sept. 2014. <http://families.naeyc.org/accredited-article/10-naeyc-program-standards>.
The program promotes the nutrition and health of children and protects
children and staff from illness and injury. Children must be healthy and
safe in order to learn and grow. Programs must be healthy and safe to
support childrens healthy development.

"The 10 NAEYC Program Standards." Naecy.org. National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Web. 9 Sept. 2014. <http://families.naeyc.org/accredited-article/10-naeyc-program-standards>.
The program employs and supports a teaching staff with the educational
qualifications, knowledge, and professional commitment necessary to
promote childrens learning and development and to support families
diverse needs and interests.
Teachers should have credentials
such as:
Child Development Associate
(CDA) credentials
Associates Degrees
*Bachelors/ Masters Degrees
Programs should offer
orientation for new staff as
well as provisions for staff
development & continuing
education opportunities.
Staff should work as
a team with a
cohesive curriculum.
Always
remember:
a PARENT is a
childs 1
st

teacher!

The program establishes and maintains collaborative relationships
with each childs family to foster childrens development in all
settings. These relationships are sensitive to family composition,
language, and culture.
"The 10 NAEYC Program Standards." Naecy.org. National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Web. 9 Sept. 2014. <http://families.naeyc.org/accredited-article/10-naeyc-program-standards>.
A childs family is their first and foremost connection to the
world around them. It is their security, their home, and their
first experience with culture.

All lifestyles, backgrounds, cultures, and traditions should
be welcomed, respected, and encouraged to be involved in
every part of the program.

Involvement and communication should be open and
encouraged throughout the program. Policies and
procedures, orientations, conferences, and resource
materials should be accessiblewhich includes their being
provided in a language that families can understand.

Children should be able to see examples of various familial
structures in the classroom, and should come to be able to
identify members of the family.

The program establishes relationships with and uses the resources of the
childrens communities to support the achievement of program goals.
"The 10 NAEYC Program Standards." Naecy.org. National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Web. 9 Sept. 2014. <http://families.naeyc.org/accredited-article/10-naeyc-program-standards>.
What to Ask*:
What community ties does the
program have?
Does the program offer field trip
experiences?
Are people brought in from other
facilities to lead unique educational
opportunities?
Where are the libraries, museums,
parks, gardens, and community
centers in relation to the location of
the program?

"The 10 NAEYC Program Standards." Naecy.org. National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Web. 9 Sept. 2014. <http://families.naeyc.org/accredited-article/10-naeyc-program-standards>.
The program has a safe and healthful environment that provides
appropriate and well-maintained indoor and outdoor physical
environments. The environment includes facilities, equipment,
and materials to facilitate child and staff learning and development.
What to Ask*:
Can children be seen &/ heard at all times?
Are chairs, tables, sinks, toilets, etc. child-
sized?
Do toys & materials appear age-
appropriate? Clean? In good repair?
Are there barriers between playgrounds &
streets, parking lots, and other hazards?
Does the facility provide first-aid kits, fire
alarms & extinguishers, carbon monoxide
meters, & other safety equipment?

"The 10 NAEYC Program Standards." Naecy.org. National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Web. 9 Sept. 2014. <http://families.naeyc.org/accredited-article/10-naeyc-program-standards>.
Now youve got all the tools and guidelines you need as you
start to choose a program that suits the needs of your family!
The program effectively implements policies, procedures, and systems that
support stable staff and strong personnel, and fiscal, and program management
so all children, families, and staff have high-quality experiences.
The program administrator or director should:
have a 4-year college degree
with specialized courses in
Early Childhood Education
Child Development
or another related field

The program should:
be regulated by the state
have written policies &
procedures that are
shared with families
maintain appropriate
staff-to-child ratio
The policies & procedures should cover:
Philosophy
Curriculum goals
Guidance & discipline
Health & safety
0-12m 1:4
12-24m 1:4
24-36m 1:5
3y 1:6
4-5y 1:8
6y 1:9
Staff-to-Child Ratio

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