The Georgia Association on Young Children (GAYC) strongly supports the accreditation process offered by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) for programs serving children birth through five years of age.  Quality early care and education is essential for the future success of Georgia ’s children, and GAYC recognizes NAEYC Accreditation as an outstanding, leading measurement of quality for early childhood programs that can assist Georgia in improving the quality of early care and education.

To learn more about NAEYC Accreditation or to access resources to assist your program as you pursue NAEYC Accreditation, please click on the links below.

General Information about NAEYC Accreditation:

• NAEYC’s website, www.naeyc.org
• Information for Families about NAEYC Accreditation, www.rightchoiceforkids.org
• Choosing Accreditation:  A Guide to Recognizing Quality in Early Childhood Education

GAYC Services to Support NAEYC Accreditation:

• 30-hour GAYC Institute on NAEYC Accreditation offered annually.  $200 scholarships are available.  The next Institute will be September 15 - 19, 2008 in McDonough, GA.  Download a registration form here.
• Technical Assistance is offered to centers throughout the state to help programs improve their quality and strive for NAEYC Accreditation.  Call 404-222-0014 or 800-865-4326 or email us at gayc@algxmail.com for more information on technical assistance services. Applications are being accepted for the 2008-09 grant year for centers that serve 25% or more low income children.
• The GAYC Together for Children Conference highlights NAEYC Accreditation by offering accreditation sessions and honoring programs in Georgia who have received NAEYC Accreditation in the past year at our Awards Banquet.  The 2008 GAYC Together for Children Conference is October 10-11, 2008.
• 2008 Topic Key for Sessions at Annual Conference available August 2008
• 2007 GAYC Annual Awards Banquet Program
• Advancing Careers through Education and Training offers free career advisement and education for teachers and administrators seeking to further their education.  Call us at 888-405-2238 or visit the Advancing Careers webpage at http://www.gayconline.org/
• Downloadable Flyers regarding NAEYC Accreditation
• GAYC Position Statement:  NAEYC Accreditation in Georgia
• Tips for Classroom Portfolios 

Resources for Programs Pursuing NAEYC Accreditation:

• Sign up for NAEYC Accreditation E-Updates, http://www.naeyc.org/academy/e_update/e-update.asp?signup=y
• Why NAEYC Accreditation Matters, http://www.naeyc.org/academy/AccreditationMattersWhyEarn.asp
• Frequently Asked Questions about NAEYC Accreditation, http://www.naeyc.org/academy/faq1.asp
• Get help from NAEYC directly with your own NAEYC Accreditation questions, accreditation.information@naeyc.org or (800) 424-2460
• Tips for Classroom Portfolios from GAYC
• NAEYC Accreditation Scholarship applications for currently accredited programs and first time applicants, http://www.naeyc.org/academy/pdf/scholarship_app_1-07.pdf

Find a NAEYC Accredited Center in Your Area in Georgia :

• Search by city, state, or zip code, http://www.naeyc.org/academy/search/
• Congratulations to the newly accredited or reaccredited centers in Georgia who recently earned their NAEYC Accreditation!
• Georgia ’s 2007 & 1^st Quarter 2008 NAEYC Accredited Programs

Other Useful Links for Programs Working on Quality Improvement:

• Bright from the Start:  Georgia ’s Department of Early Care and Learning, www.decal.state.ga.us
• Child Care Aware, www.childcareaware.org
• Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, Environment Rating Scales, http://www.fpg.unc.edu/~ecers/
• Georgia Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (GACCRRA), http://www.gaccrra.org/
• Georgia Early Learning Standards, http://www.decal.state.ga.us/CCS/CCSServices.aspx?Header=67&SubHeader=&Position=18&HeaderName=Georgia%20Early%20Learning%20Standards
• National Network for Child Care, www.nncc.org
• National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities, www.nichcy.org
• Smart Start Georgia , www.smartstartga.org
• Zero to Three, www.zerotothree.org

Interested in accreditation for your family child care?

The National Association for Family Child Care accredits family child care programs. Visit their webpage for more information at www.nafcc.org