Essay Example on The assignment investigation of the process of Accreditation

The assignment investigation of the process of accreditation for an Early Education Center was conducted via email with the director of the Santa Ana Community College s Early Education Center The center is located in the City of Santa Ana Orange County California The center is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children NAEYC and their renewal was awarded on January 13 2016 They NAEYC renewal takes place every 5 years through verification and documentations of how the facility meets the necessary requirements of the 10 National NAEYC s standards 1 promoting relationships 2 Implementing curriculum 3 Teaching methods that are developmentally culturally and linguistically appropriate 4 Formal Informal ongoing assessment of children 5 Promoting health and nutrition 6 Teachers educational qualification knowledge and commitment 7 Promoting collaborative relationships with families 8 Promoting community relationships 9 The physical environment indoor outdoor is well maintained appropriate and useful both to children and staff 10 Program leadership and management NAEYC 2007 

According to J Cowan the first step of the program accreditation process took a year for determining its level of quality in accordance with the 10 NAEYC standards Once the level was determined the center submitted the accreditation enrollment paperwork and the second step the self study began the self study allows staff members to make improvements or fix any discrepancies within the facility or staff In the third step once the self study is completed the program submits the necessary evidence for the NAEYC to review the readiness of the site In the fourth step the center s candidacy material must organize the portfolio program observation class portfolio and class observation In the fifth step within six months candidates receive a 15 day notification of their incoming assessment visit The accreditation if 80 of the assessed criteria for each standard met and each class observed meets at least 70 of the assessed criteria In the sixth and final step the facility is either accredited or denied if denied the facility receives feedback on the criteria that needs improvement and for which the candidate is given a time frame to make the necessary corrections before submitting paperwork and materials again NAEYC 2007 The NAEYC s fee is contingent upon the number of students enrolled in this case the center has between 121 240 children so the NAEYC charged an overall expense of 2 420 795 for the enrollment 400 for the application and 1 225 for the candidacy To keep the yearly membership the center must submit an annual report with updates on the program s administration responsibilities its Title 22 regulations of the state of California s licensing status proof and the yearly NAEYC s annual fee of 770 00 that was contingent upon the number of students