CDC earns national accreditation

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Brittney Prescott
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The Dyess Air Force Base Child Development Center recently earned national accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

The NAEYC is the nation's leading organization of early childhood professionals.

"The staff put in a massive amount of work," said Diane Areskog, CDC director. "Our CDC has worked tremendously hard."

To earn NAEYC Accreditation in the new system, the CDC went through an extensive self-study process, measuring the program and its services against the new NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards and more than 200 related accreditation criteria.

The Dyess center received NAEYC accreditation after an on-site visit by assessors to ensure the program met each of the NAEYC program standards. Mrs. Areskog gave credit to those who work in the center for the program being recognized by the association.

"Our accreditation status is due to our well trained staff," Mrs. Areskog said. "If it wasn't for the staff, the accreditation would not have happened."

"We have three trainers who observe each classroom to ensure the staff is providing exactly what the children need," said added.

While the Dyess CDC has just received their accreditation, the center will be subject to unannounced visits during their accreditation, which lasts five years.

According to the NAEYC Web site, it was founded in 1926 and is the world's largest organization working on behalf of young children with nearly 90,000 members, a national network of over 300 local, state and regional affiliates, and a growing global alliance of like-minded organizations.

The NAEYC accreditation system has set voluntary professional standards for programs for young children since 1985. As of September 2006, the association's revised program standards and criteria have introduced a new level of quality, accountability and service for parents and children in child care programs. 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.

Ensuring the highest-quality care and education is something performed on a daily basis at the center on Dyess, said Mrs. Areskog.

"The center focuses on the development of each child," she said. "Without the program, many children would be lacking in cognitive and developmental skills."