MAPLEWOOD EARNS NATIONAL ACCREDITATION

Northcrest and Maplewood Title 1 preschools have earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) – the nation’s leading organization of early childhood professionals.

“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 Barbara Roberts, Title 1 pre-k instructional facilitator. “NAEYC Accreditation lets families in our community know that children in our programs are getting the best care and early learning experiences possible.”

Northcrest and Maplewood join already accredited programs at Abbett, Adams, Bloomingdale, Fairfield, Nebraska, Scott, South Wayne, Study and Washington.

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To earn NAEYC Accreditation, Northcrest and Maplewood went through an extensive Self-Study process, measuring their programs and services against the 10 NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards and more than 400 related Accreditation Criteria. The programs received NAEYC Accreditation after a site visit by NAEYC Assessors to ensure that the programs met each of the 10 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. Nearly 8,000 programs nationwide, serving 1 million young children, are currently accredited by NAEYC. That accounts for about 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. “Northcrest and Maplewood’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.

With nearly 32,000 students, Fort Wayne Community Schools is Indiana’s second-largest school district. FWCS proudly allows families to choose any of its 53 schools through its successful school-choice program creating diversity in each school, including some with more than 75 languages spoken. FWCS offers seven magnet schools focusing on areas such as fine arts or Montessori at the elementary and middle school level as well as the prestigious International Baccalaureate program for high school students.