11/18/09 - Siskin Early Learning Center-Downtown earns national NAEYC accreditation

Date: November 18, 2009
Contact: Seth Seymour
423.648.1709
seth.seymour@siskin.org

Siskin Early Learning Center-Downtown Earns National NAEYC Accreditation
Program Among the Top in the Nation by Earning NAEYC Accreditation 

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Siskin Early Learning Center-Downtown has earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) – the nation’s leading organization of early childhood professionals.

Earning the accreditation puts the Learning Center in an elite group of only 8 percent of preschools and other early childhood programs nationwide.

“We’re proud to have earned the mark of quality from NAEYC, and to be recognized for our commitment to reaching the highest professional standards,” said Dr. David Cook, Director of the learning center. “NAEYC Accreditation lets families in our community know that children in our program are getting the best care and early learning experiences possible.” 

The downtown learning center is one of two centers operated by Siskin Children's Institute. The centers specialize in educating children with developmental disabilities -- such as Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and autism spectrum conditions -- as well as typically developing children in an intregrated environment where children of all abilities learn and play together.

To earn NAEYC Accreditation, the Learning Center staff went through an extensive Self-Study process, measuring the program and its services against the 10 NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards and more than 400 related Accreditation Criteria.  The program received NAEYC Accreditation after a site visit by NAEYC Assessors to ensure that the program meets each of the ten program standards. NAEYC-accredited programs are also subject to unannounced visits during their accreditation, which lasts for five years.

In the 23 years since NAEYC Accreditation was established, it has become a widely recognized sign of high-quality early childhood education. Almost 8,000 programs, serving one million young children, are currently accredited by NAEYC – approximately 8 percent of all preschools and other early childhood programs. “The NAEYC Accreditation system raises the bar for preschools, child care centers and other early childhood programs,” said Mark Ginsberg, Ph.D., executive director of NAEYC.  "Siskin Early Learning Center-Downtown's NAEYC Accreditation is a sign that they are a leader in a national effort to invest in high-quality early childhood education, and to help give all children a better start.”

The NAEYC Accreditation system has set voluntary professional standards for programs for young children since 1985.  In September 2006, the Association revised program standards and criteria to introduce a new level of quality, accountability, and service for parents and children in child care programs.  The new standards today reflect the latest research and best practices in early childhood education and development.  NAEYC is committed to utilizing the newest studies and analysis on positive child outcomes to ensure young children continue receiving the highest-quality care and education possible.

The NAEYC Accreditation system was created to set professional standards for early childhood education, and to help families identify high-quality preschools, child care centers and other early education programs.  To earn NAEYC Accreditation, a program must meet each of the 10 NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards.  Programs are accredited by NAEYC for a five-year period. Learn more on the organization's website.

About Siskin Children’s Institute
Siskin Children’s Institute makes life better for children with special needs and their families. Founded in 1950, the non-profit organization achieves its mission locally and nationally through four initiatives: education, outreach, health care and research. The Institute provides early childhood education where children with and without disabilities learn together; family support and professional development programs; developmental behavioral pediatric health care; and innovative research in early childhood development and special education. For more information about Siskin Children’s Institute, visit www.siskin.org.

##