Delhi Campus Child Care Center Earns National Accreditation

DELHI, NY (11/03/2012)(readMedia)-- The Delhi Campus Child Care Center (DC-4) has earned a five-year renewal of its accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

DC-4 conducted an extensive self-study process that measured its services against the 10 NAEYC early childhood program standards and more than 400 related accreditation criteria. It completed the renewal process following an on-site visit by NAEYC on August 22.

"Only eight percent of all preschools and other early childhood programs are accredited by the NAEYC, so this makes our renewal very rewarding," said Karen Wallace, DC-4 Director. "Our staff worked hard to ensure we met the requirements for renewal at our new location."

DC-4 unveiled a newly constructed building on the Valley Campus in a ribbon cutting event on October 23. The event celebrated $6.5 million in state support secured by Senator John Bonacic. Also at the event, the center celebrated a new partnership, the Carousel Children's Program, with The Arc of Delaware County.

The Carousel Children's Program brings together children of all abilities in a natural setting that benefits the community. According to Wallace, "There's a real need for a program of this type in Delaware County. At DC-4, we're here to support and serve all children and their parents. This program allows us to be as inclusive as possible."

Since implementing the Carousel program, DC-4 is the most integrated child care center found throughout the SUNY system. There are similar programs, but they have not integrated the children to the degree that DC-4 has.

DC-4 has been nationally accredited since May 1995 through the National Association for the Education of Young Children. NAEYC is the nation's largest and most influential organization of early-childhood educators and others dedicated to improving the quality of programs for young children.

The Delhi Campus Child Care Center offers year-round childcare services for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children of SUNY Delhi students, state employees, faculty, staff, and community residents. The school-age program provides after-school care and full-day care during school vacations, snow days, and holidays. Thanks to support from the United Way, tuition is based on a sliding fee scale according to income, with discounts for State employees and SUNY Delhi faculty and staff and funding for income-eligible children of SUNY.