Cleveland State University's Child Development Center has earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) – the nation's leading organization of early childhood professionals.

To earn NAEYC accreditation, the CSU Child Development Center went through a rigorous and extensive self-study process, measuring the program and its services against 10 NAEYC Program Standards and more than 400 related accreditation criteria.

"We're proud to have earned the mark of quality from NAEYC and to be recognized for our commitment to reaching the highest professional standards," said Kelly Kulon, the center's director. "This accreditation lets families in our community know that children in our program are receiving the best care and early learning experiences possible."

The program, which is managed by the YMCA of Greater Cleveland and located on the CSU campus, received accreditation after an on-site visit by NAEYC assessors. NAEYC-accredited programs are also subject to unannounced visits during the five-year accreditation period.

In the 25 years since NAEYC accreditation was established, it has become a widely recognized mark of high-quality childhood education. Only about 8 percent of all preschools and other early childhood programs in the United States are accredited.

"The NAEYC accreditation system raises the bar for child care centers and other early childhood programs," said Jerlean Daniel, NAEYC executive director. "Having earned accreditation is a sign that the CSU Child Development Center is a leader in a national effort to invest in high-quality early childhood education."

For more information about NAEYC Accreditation, visit www.naeyc.org/academy.

About Cleveland State University

Founded in 1964, Cleveland State University is a public institution that provides a dynamic setting for engaged learning. With an enrollment of more than 17,000 students, eight colleges and approximately 200 academic programs, CSU is listed among America's top colleges by U.S. News and World Report.

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