What is accreditation?

Programs accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) invest in early childhood education because they believe in the benefits to children and families. Early childhood experiences—from birth to age 8—have an enormous impact on children’s lifelong learning and positively contribute to their health and development. Early childhood education programs with the mark of quality benefit children with greater readiness for and success in school.

Why does it matter?

It is for the reasons listed above that parents and families are seeking out NAEYC-accredited programs. NAEYC Accreditation is the mark of quality that families are looking for. Accreditation gives families the chance to make the Right Choice for Kids.

The Child and Family Center at CSULB has successfully completed the intensive process of self-study to receive reaccreditation every five years since 1993, which involves a review of every aspect of the program. Accreditation criteria include interactions among teachers and children, curriculum, relationships among teachers and families, staff qualifications and professional development, physical environment, health and safety, and nutrition and food service. The center received reaccreditation in 2022, and will renew again in 2027.

Today, over 7,000 programs are NAEYC Accredited.