Copyright © 2000 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

TAHLEQUAH, OK - The Cherokee Nation Child Development Center was recently granted accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). This prestigious recognition has been achieved by just 7 percent of early childhood programs nationwide.

"We are very proud and excited to finally receive the accreditation," said Deanna O’Laughlin, CDC Manager. "It is the staff member’s dedication, commitment, and hard work to providing a high quality early childhood program for young children and their families that made this possible. I commend each staff member for their ability to work as a team, dare to dream, and reach for the highest stars."

"This confirms what we’ve known all along," said Chad Smith, Cherokee Nation’s Principal Chief. "Cherokee Nation childcare providers are world class."

NAEYC accreditation is a rigorous, voluntary process by which early childhood programs demonstrate that they meet national standards of excellence. Child care centers, preschools, kindergartens, and before and after school programs are eligible to seek NAEYC accreditation. Approximately 15,000 programs are engaged in seeking accreditation.

Programs seeking accreditation undergo an intensive self-study, collecting information from parents, teachers, administrators, and classroom observations. They receive an on-site visit, conducted by early childhood professionals especially trained by NAEYC, to validate their self-study results. A team of national experts review the information and decide whether to grant of defer accreditation. When awarded, accreditation is valid for three years.

"The heart of NAEYC accreditation focuses on the child’s experience," said Barbara Willer, spokesperson for NAEYC. "The process carefully considers all aspects of a program including health and safety, staffing, staff qualifications, and physical environment. The greatest emphasis is on the children’s relationship with the staff and how the program helps each child grow and learn intellectually, socially, and emotionally."

According to Willer, research supports the value of accreditation for children. Children’s language and social skills especially benefit from the better quality found in NAEYC-accredited programs. "These are critical areas for children’s success in school as well as in life," said Willer.

Cherokee Nation Child Development Center is located 4.5 miles south of Tahlequah on highway 62, at the James Danielson Children’s Village and serves 85 to 90 children ranging in age six weeks through 12 years. The center is a full day and full year program. The mission of the Child Development Center is to provide a high quality early childhood program in a safe and nurturing environment that promotes the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of young children while being responsive to families needs. The Child Development Center will now proudly display the NAEYC torch-the sign of NAEYC accreditation. Parents who look for the torch when choosing child care or early education programs for their children will find programs, which have made a commitment to excellence for young children and families.

For further information about NAEYC or the accreditation process, access NAEYC’s web site at www.naeyc.org/ or contact NAEYC’s Public Affairs Division at 202-232-8777 or 800-424-2460.