The Early Learning Research Academy (ELRA) recently was accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), a national membership organization that promotes high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through 8, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research. The accreditation is a major accomplishment that places ELRA in an elite status of early childhood learning centers. To achieve accreditation, a center must meet at least 80% of assessed criteria for each program standard and at least 70% of assessed criteria for each class selected for assessment. ELRA received over 98% in the first category and over 94% in the second category.
NAEYC commended ELRA on:
- promoting positive relationships among all children and adults to encourage each child’s sense of individual worth and belonging as part of a community and to foster each child’s ability to contribute as a responsible community member;
- using developmentally, culturally and linguistically appropriate and effective teaching approaches that enhance each child’s learning and development in the context of the program’s curriculum goals;
- using ongoing, systematic, formal and informal assessment approaches to provide information on children’s learning and development;
- promoting the nutrition and health of children and protecting children and staff from illness and injury;
- effectively establishing and maintaining reciprocal relationships with agencies and institutions that can support it in achieving its goals for the curriculum, health promotion, children’s transitions, inclusion, and diversity;
- administering a program efficiently and effectively, ensuring that all involved persons, staff, children, and families are included
Accreditation is valid for five years before being renewed.
