YWCA Discovery Place Awarded National Accreditation
Joins National Movement to Improve Early Childhood Education
(YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio, November 29, 2005 ) - YWCA Discovery Place childcare center and preschool has earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children—the nation’s leading organization of early childhood professionals.
“We’re proud to be accredited by NAEYC, and recognized for our commitment to reaching the highest professional standards,“ said Constance Shaffer, YWCA Executive Director. “NAEYC accreditation lets families in our community know that children in our program are getting the best care and early learning experiences.”
YWCA Discovery Place, 25 W. Rayen Avenue in Youngstown, provides childcare for girls and boys ages 6 weeks and older and year-round preschool. Childcare Program Manager Lora Comichisto says the program is based on a kindergarten-readiness curriculum. “Children’s early years are a crucial period of learning and development. At the YWCA, we care for each child in ways that are appropriate to his or her age and level of development—helping them all get a strong foundation for learning and growth.”
The YWCA is now one of only seven programs in Mahoning County that is accredited.
“By earning accreditation, the YWCA has become a leader in a national effort to raise the quality of early childhood education, and to help give all children a better start,” said Shaffer. “We are excited to be taking on this role as advocates to promote higher quality in childcare programs.”
NAEYC created its accreditation program in 1985 to set professional standards for early childhood education and to help families identify high-quality child care and early education programs. To earn NAEYC accreditation, a program conducts a self-study to determine how well it meets the standards. After necessary improvements are made, the program is observed by independent, professional validators and then reviewed by a national panel. Programs are accredited by NAEYC for a five-year period.
The YWCA is licensed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. The YWCA’s accreditation process was aided by a grant from The Raymond John Wean Foundation.
The YWCA also provides preschool and childcare at YWCA Discovery Place West, 2007 S. Schenley Avenue on the Westside, and after-school and summer care for school-age children at locations throughout Mahoning County.
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