The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Commission on Early Childhood Associate Degree Accreditation has granted accreditation to three associate degree programs in New York state #- Cayuga Community College, SUNY Cobleskill and Schenectady County Community College. These three colleges are the first in New York to be granted accreditation for their early childhood degree programs, and each joins only 48 other colleges across the country who have earned the distinction.

The NAEYC established the accreditation system in 2006 to provide a system to recognize excellence in programs that offer two-year early childhood associate degrees. The system established professional preparation standards in an effort to raise the quality of teacher education with the goal of raising the quality of early childhood education programs that serve young children.

According to Alison Lutton from the NAEYC, “Teacher quality is a crucial component in providing high-quality early childhood education to millions of children across the country. Accredited associate degree programs provide access to the profession and a strong foundation for the diverse pool of early childhood teachers that we need in the field.”

Research findings have consistently demonstrated the link between teacher preparation and the quality of care and education provided to young children. In fact, many programs providing early childhood care and education, including Head Start, require an associate degree or higher for its teachers.

The accreditation process is rigorous and requires the commitment of college faculty and staff. Cayuga Community College (CCC) began the accreditation process of its AAS degree in early childhood three years ago under my direction. The process began with the completion of a self-study in which the college examined its ability to meet national standards relating to the preparation of early childhood professionals.

The standards include five core areas that outline what graduates should know and be able to practice in the field:

1) Promoting child development and learning

2) Building family and community relationships

3) Observing, documenting and assessing young children

4) Teaching and learning

5) Becoming a professional

Following the self-study, a report outlining the program's mission, context and conceptual framework was written and submitted to the NAEYC. After the report was reviewed, a team of trained peer reviewers visited the college, reviewed documentation, met with faculty, administration, students and community stakeholders, and prepared its own report. An independent commission then evaluated the team's report and the program's report before making the final accreditation decision.

CCC was awarded national accreditation Aug. 1. The accreditation is valid for seven years and will require annual reviews in order to maintain accreditation.

For more information about the AAS degree program at CCC, visit our Web site at www.cayuga-cc.edu.

For information about the accreditation process, visit

the NAEYC's site at www.naeyc.org.

Patricia Gridley, Ph.D., is an associate professor and the coordinator of the Early Childhood program at Cayuga Community College.