URI Child Development Center
again wins accreditation from national group
KINGSTON, R.I.-- October 7, 1998--The University of Rhode Island Child
Development Center (CDC) was recently granted re-accreditation by the National
Association for the Education of Young Children.
This designation has been achieved by about only 5 percent of early childhood
programs nationwide.
"Although the CDC has always met state licensing standards, accreditation
by the national association indicates the CDC is a high quality program,"
said Susan Warford, coordinator of the URI center. "Association accreditation,
a national and voluntary system, indicates that the CDC operates in accordance
with the standards defined by the early childhood profession."
To achieve accreditation, the CDC staff members at the Kingston Campus
engaged in a comprehensive process of internal self-study, invited external
professional review, and were certified as meeting the association's criteria
for high quality early childhood programs, Warford said.
"The staff of the CDC demonstrated its professional commitment to
continued self-evaluation and self-improvement and to striving for excellence
for young children and their families," Warford said.
The CDC first achieved accreditation in May of 1995, which was valid
for three years. The re-accreditation will be valid until May 31, 2001.
The CDC runs pre-school and kindergarten programs at its facilities on the
Kingston Campus and at the Allen Shawn Feinstein College of Continuing Education
in Providence. The Dr. Pat Feinstein Child Development Center in Providence
has not been accredited because a facility must be open for three full years
before the process can begin. However, the Providence facility follows the
same guidelines as the one in Kingston.
Barbara Willer, spokesperson for the national association, said the accreditation
process considers all aspects of a center's operation-including health and
safety, staffing, staff qualifications, administration and the physical
environment.
"But the greatest emphasis is on the children's relationships with
the staff and how the program helps each child grow and learn, intellectually,
physically, socially and emotionally," Willer said.
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For Further Information: Dave Lavallee 401-874-2116
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