HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Base officials announced earlier this month that the Child Development Center here earned accreditation through the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
The Military Child Care Act of 1989 requires that the CDC be accredited by a national agency every five years.
“I am immensely proud of our team’s hard work and dedication accomplishing this accreditation,” said Maj. Joshua Caragan, 66th Force Support Squadron commander. “This recognition underscores our commitment to providing high-quality early childhood education and care for the families of our military community.”
According to CDC officials, the accreditation is a rigorous process requiring the organization to meet strict standards.
“We exceeded the standards across 10 different areas of program quality, including curriculum, teacher qualifications, health and safety practices, family engagement and more,” said Kristen Melvin, CDC director.
The Hanscom AFB CDC was required to submit documentation and undergo on-site evaluations by trained accessors to demonstrate they are meeting or exceeding the standards. The evaluations took place Jan. 4-6, 2023.
“The CDC has clearly demonstrated it is providing an environment that supports the growth and development of young children in a safe and nurturing way,” said Scott Craver, 66 FSS Child and Youth Services Flight chief.
CDC officials prepared for the visit by using data collected from staff members, CDC-enrolled families, and observations to create a program improvement plan that strengthened practices throughout the program.
“The Child Development Center is not only a wonderful place for children to grow and learn, but also a great place to work alongside child care providers who are passionate providers,” said Caragan.
The National Association for the Education of Young Children is the world's largest organization of early childhood professionals. To learn more about the accreditation, visit the organization’s website at http://www.naeyc.org/academy.
For more information on the Child Development Center, visit https://www.hanscomfss.com/child-development-center.