Press Release

Masonicare Child Development Center in Wallingford Earns National NAEYC Accreditation - 9/9/2008

Program Among First in Nation to Complete More Rigorous Accreditation Process

Wallingford, CT, September 9, 2008..........The Masonicare Child Development Center in Wallingford is one of the first early childhood programs to earn accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and was recently accredited for the fourth consecutive time.   NAEYC is the nation's leading organization of early childhood professionals. 

"We're both pleased and proud to be accredited by NAEYC and to be acknowledged for our ongoing dedication to achieving the highest standards possible," said Darlene Plummer, Director of the Child Development Center.  "NAEYC accreditation assures families in our community that children enrolled in our program receive exceptional care and  superior early learning experiences."

Located on the Masonicare campus in Wallingford, the Masonicare Child Development Center was established 20 years ago to care for children of Masonicare employees as well as those from the community.  Typical children and those with special needs, from six weeks old to the age of five, are cared for in a warm and nurturing environment.  

The children participate in an intergenerational program developed by childcare staff and Masonic Healthcare Center's recreational therapy staff, interacting with Masonicare residents several times a month through a host of special activities and programs.

NAEYC created its accreditation program in 1985 to set professional standards for early childhood education and to help families identify high-quality childcare and early education programs.  As of September 2006, new and more rigorous standards were put into place that reflect the latest research and best practices in early childhood education and development.

To earn NAEYC's accreditation using the more rigorous standards, the Masonicare Child Development Center went through an extensive self-study process, measuring the program and its services against 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 program standards.  The Masonicare Child Development Center will also be subject to unannounced visits during the five-year accreditation period.   This is the fourth consecutive time the Center has received NAEYC accreditation.

To learn more about the Masonicare Child Development Center, contact director Darlene Plummer at 203-679-5935.

Penny O'Neill
Public Relations Manager
Masonicare
203-679-5041
poneill@masonicare.org
www.masonicare.org

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