Santa Barbara County’s preschool programs are top-notch, according to a national education association.
On Aug. 19, the Santa Barbara County Education Office announced in a press release that all six state preschool programs under its operation have earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children, an acclaimed organization of early childhood professionals.
The schools are Lompoc’s De Colores Preschool at Clarence Ruth School, Just for Kids Preschool at Arthur Hapgood School, La Honda Preschool at La Honda School, and the Learning Place preschool at Crestview Elementary on Vandenberg Air Force Base; Los Alamos Preschool at Olga Reed School in Los Alamos; and Santa Ynez Valley Preschool at College School in Santa Ynez.
Together, the preschools provide a school-readiness program to 250 students, ages 3 to 5 years old, from low-income families.
According to County Education Office officials, this is the second time the county program has achieved accreditation in 10 years.
To earn accreditation, schools must undergo an in-depth review of the classroom environment; curriculum; relationships among the children, staff, and families; and staff credentials, training, and more.
“We’re proud to have earned the mark of quality from [the National Association for the Education of Young Children], and to be recognized for our program’s commitment to reaching the highest professional standards,” county education superintendent Bill Cirone said in the release.
The county’s state preschools also went through an extensive self-study process, measuring the program and its services against Early Childhood Program standards and additional criteria. The schools will now be subject to unannounced inspection visits over the next five years.
More than 7,000 programs are currently accredited by the national association—approximately 8 percent of the nation’s preschools and other early childhood programs.
For more information about accreditation or local programs, visit naeyc.org/academy or call Child Development Programs Director Trudy Adair-Verbais at 964-4710, Ext. 4464.
School Scene is compiled by News Editor Amy Asman. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, e-mail, or mail.
This article appears in Aug 26 – Sep 2, 2010.
