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By Vanessa
Rasmussen, © 2004, All rights reserved.
Website: http://www.startingadaycarecenter.com
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To
demonstrate that a childcare center provides
quality care and meets high standards of
excellence, the center can opt for an accreditation
from an independent childcare organization.
The process of accreditation is not mandatory,
it only adds to the credibility of the childcare
program. |
Accreditation
is a rigorous process that involves among other
things a thorough review of the program by the
accrediting body, and on-site visit. Accredited
childcare centers exceed most standards of quality
set by the licensing process. Besides, accreditation
makes it easier for parents to choose the right
program for their children.
Accreditation
can be obtained for day care centers as well
as family day homes. The process of accreditation
consists of the following phases:
- Phase I known
as Self-Study, through which program staff
identify areas needing improvement
- Phase II known
as Validation, in which program information
is verified during a site visit by a team
of trained volunteers
- Phase III
known as the Review, which is done by a national
commission of recognized experts who judge
whether the program is in substantial compliance
with the accreditation criteria
If all these
requirements are met, the day care facility
is granted an accredition generally for a period
of 3 to 5 years. However, the program needs
to submit an annual report every year to the
reviewing body. This report should document
all changes within the facility as well as proof
of continued compliance with all policies.
Some of the characteristics
that the visiting team from the accreditation
body looks for are:
- Are the caregivers
loving and responsive?
- Do caregivers
encourage children's play and view care giving
routines as opportunities for learning?
- Do the caregivers
respect children's individual characteristics
as well as families' preferences for their
children?
- Do caregivers
understand principles of child development
and learning and know how to apply them to
specific situations?
- Are the groups
small enough to provide the individual attention
very young children need?
- Are groups
of children and adults consistent over the
course of the day and over time, fostering
good relationships?
- Are there
plenty of toys and learning materials that
offer interesting and challenging activities
to children that are also safe and achievable?
- Do parents
and caregivers interact regularly and work
together effectively on behalf of children?
- Is careful
attention paid to children's health and safety?
Copyright
2001, 2004. All rights reserved. Any reproduction
of this article in whole or in part without
written or verbal permission is strictly prohibited.
For information about reprinting this article,
contact the copyright owner: Vanessa Rasmussen,
Ph.D, Starting a Day Care Center, http://www.startingadaycarecenter.com.
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