Hopkins House’s Helen Day Preschool Academy, located in Alexandria, Virginia, has earned reaccreditation from 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 a reaffirmation of the quality of our preschool academy from NAEYC, and to be recognized for our commitment to reaching the highest professional standards," said Hopkins House President J. Glenn Hopkins. "NAEYC Accreditation lets families in our community know that children in our high-quality program have teachers who create engaging classrooms, enhance relationships with their parents and families, and develop rich experiences for their students."

 

NAEYC accredits established preschools for five years.  Helen Day's accreditation expires this year and the academy had to seek reaccreditation.  The academy has an enrollment capacity of 75 children, ages 6 weeks to 5 years old.  Special emphasis is placed on preparing children for high achievement in kindergarten and beyond, with graduates entering public and private schools throughout the nation.  Hopkins House holds to rigorous standards for its educators, requirng them to have a college degrees in the education field and at least 16 hours of continuing education yearly.  In 2010, the academy was ranked by Northern Virginia Magazine among the top two preschools in the City of Alexandria.  The academy is also Virginia Star Quality Rated.

 

To earn NAEYC Accreditation, the academy went through an extensive self-study process, measuring the program and its services against the ten 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. NAEYC-accredited programs are also subject to unannounced visits during their accreditation, which lasts for five years.

In the 25 years since NAEYC Accreditation was established, it has become a widely recognized sign of high-quality early childhood education. Nearly 7,000 programs are currently accredited by NAEYC – approximately 8 percent of all preschools and other early childhood programs.

"It’s a lengthy and rigorous process to achieve NAEYC Accreditation, and Hopkins House's James L. & Juliette McNeil Preschool Academy should be commended for seeking high standards," said Rhian Evans Allvin, executive director of NAEYC. "Caring for children is not ‘rocket science’ – it’s brain science. Studies prove that the brain connections made in the first few years of life set a child’s path for success in school and in life. That’s why quality educators are so crucial. For parents and caregivers of young children who are searching for a high-quality early learning experience, Hopkins House's Helen Day Preschool Academy NAEYC Accreditation is a sign that it offers a high-quality education in a nurturing and stimulating environment."

The NAEYC Accreditation system has set voluntary professional standards for programs for young children since 1985. In September 2006, the Association revised program standards and criteria to introduce a new level of quality, accountability, and service for parents and children in child care programs. The new standards today reflect the latest research and best practices in early childhood education and development. NAEYC is committed to using the newest studies and analysis on positive child outcomes to ensure young children continue receiving the highest-quality care and education possible.

The NAEYC Accreditation system was created to set professional standards for early childhood education, and to help families identify high-quality preschools, child care centers, and other early education programs. To earn NAEYC Accreditation, a program must meet each of the ten NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards. Programs are accredited by NAEYC for a five-year period.