For Immediate Release
April 6, 2004

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

Presbyterian School is proud to announce its 11th year of accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Based in Washington D.C., NAEYC administers the largest and most widely recognized accreditation system for all types of early childhood schools with over 100,000 members. NAEYC is focused on improving the quality and accessibility of early childhood education programs and services in addition to the development of children and families.

To receive accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, Presbyterian School voluntarily participates in a lengthy accreditation process every three years. Presbyterian School recently completed this comprehensive process of internal self-study and external professional review. Presbyterian School meets all the specifications set forth within the "Criteria for High Quality Early Childhood Programs" as published by NAEYC. NAEYC defines a high-quality early childhood program as one which "provides a safe and nurturing environment while promoting the physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of young children". In NAEYC accredited programs, parents should see the following:

• Frequent, positive, warm interactions among teachers and children
• Planned learning activities appropriate to children’s age and development, such as reading stories, block building, painting, dress-up and active outdoor play
• Specially trained teachers and administrators who participate in ongoing professional development
• Inclusive environments with a respect for cultural diversity
• A healthy and safe environment for adults and children
• Regular, two-way communication with families who are welcome visitors at all times
• Effective administration with ongoing, systematic evaluation