Jefferson Community College
Watertown, NY 13601
Program Among First in Nation to Complete More Rigorous Accreditation Process
Jefferson Campus Care, located on the campus of Jefferson Community College, is one of the first early childhood programs to earn re-accreditation under rigorous new standards of 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 Roxanna Silsby, MS, director of Jefferson Campus Care. “NAEYC Accreditation lets families in our community know that children in our program are getting the best care and early learning experiences possible.”
Jefferson Campus Care was established in 1990 and serves forty children, 21 months to 5 years of age, of JCC students and staff. A substantial financial subsidy is provided for children of students to help defray the cost of childcare while they attend classes on campus. Jefferson Campus Care was first accredited by NAEYC in March of 2000.
The NAEYC Accreditation system was created in 1985 to set professional standards for early childhood education, and to help families identify high-quality preschools, childcare centers and other early education programs. The Association’s program standards and criteria, revised in September of 2006, have introduced a new level of quality, accountability, and service
for parents and children in childcare programs. The new standards reflect the latest research and best practices in early childhood education and development. To earn NAEYC Accreditation, a program must meet each of the ten NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards. NAEYC-accredited programs are also subject to unannounced visits during their accreditation, which lasts for five years.
To earn re-accreditation, Jefferson Campus Care went through an extensive self-study process, measuring the program and its services against the ten new NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards and more than 400 related Accreditation Criteria. The program received NAEYC Accreditation after an on-site visit by NAEYC Assessors to ensure that the program meets each of the ten NAEYC program standards.
“The new NAEYC Accreditation system raises the bar for preschools, childcare centers and other early childhood programs,” said Mark Ginsberg, Ph.D., executive director of NAEYC. “Jefferson Campus Care’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.” Approximately 8 percent, or 11,000, of all preschools and other early childhood programs are currently accredited by NAEYC under earlier standards.
For information about Jefferson Campus Care, please contact Roxanna Silsby at (315) 786-2357.