Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/preparing-for-the-validation-visit/5014949/
Accreditation - it's definitely worth it! Becoming one of the over 8,000 programs accredited by NAEYC's National Academy of Early Childhood Programs (Accreditation Update) is one of the best ways to increase the quality of services your program offers. It's also great for your program's image with parents, your local community, and the early childhood professional community.After completing the accreditation self-study: classroom observations and improvements, surveys and questionnaires for staff and parents, and administrative paperwork, most directors feel a sense of accomplishment as they mail their application to the Academy. But there's more to come: the validation visit to observe and confirm the program's assessment of the center. Here's how some directors describe that visit.
"Our validator was great! Everyone really liked her."
"After a few minutes, I forgot she was even in the room."
"You could tell she really knew what she was doing. The whole experience really made our staff feel like someone appreciated all their hard work."
"We had a staff party to celebrate after the visit. We all felt so good about how we did."
But sometimes things don't work out quite as well.
"By the time the validator left I had a splitting headache."
"I was a wreck. I couldn't believe that ...