Scottdale Child Development Center

SCDC EARNS NATIONAL NAEYC RE-ACCREDITATION

Among First in Nation to Complete More Rigorous Accreditation Process

Congratulations to the Scottdale Child Development Center for completing the re-accreditation process from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) – the nation’s leading organization of early childhood professionals.

To earn NAEYC Accreditation in the new system, SCDC went through an extensive self-study process, measuring the program and its services against the ten new NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards and more than 400 related Accreditation Criteria. The program received NAEYC Accreditation after an on-site visit by NAEYC Assessors to ensure that the program meets each of the ten NAEYC program standards. NAEYC-accredited programs are also subject to unannounced visits during their accreditation, which lasts for five years.

In the 20 years since NAEYC Accreditation was established, it has become a widely recognized sign of high-quality early childhood education in approximately 8 percent of all preschools and other early childhood programs. “The new NAEYC Accreditation system raises the bar for preschools, child care centers and other early childhood programs,” said Mark Ginsberg, Ph.D., executive director of NAEYC. “SCDC’s NAEYC Accreditation is a sign that they are a leader in a national effort to invest in high-quality early childhood education, and to help give all children a better start.”

As of September 2006, the Association’s revised program standards and criteria have introduced a new level of quality, accountability, and service for parents and children in child care programs.

The NAEYC Accreditation system was created in 1985 to set professional standards for early childhood education, and to help families identify high-quality preschools, child care centers and other early education programs.

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Breakfast & Books with Dad

Thanks to all the dads who participated in the Pre K’s Breakfast & Books with Dad in March. And congratulations to the Pre K 1 class for learning to tie your shoes!

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Our Children Take to the Stage During the Annual Black History Month Program

On Feb. 29, our children presented a wealth of knowledge during SCDC’s Annual Black History Program at the Avondale Middle School. The evening began with a heartfelt rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” lead by Assistant Center Director, Ms. Watson. The children impressed the audience with song, dance and recitations. The evening concluded with thanks from Center Director, Ms. Clay and refreshments.

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SCDC Staff, Families and Community Help Build New Playground

On the chilly morning of Feb. 13, members of the SCDC staff, families and community came out to help prepare the grounds for the new playground at the center. The final touches were put on the equipment on Feb. 15 and the children have enjoyed playing on their new playground. Thank you to everyone who lent helping hands, tools and time to this effort.

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DeKalb County Sheriff Thomas Brown presents SCDC with $6,000

DeKalb County Sheriff Thomas Brown awarded Executive Director Audrey Collier (pictured below left) and Center Director Barbara Clay {pictured below right} with a check for $6,000 on Dec. 21, 2007.

The award was donated after a marvelous fundraising effort sparked by the 30th Anniversary of Scottdale Child Development & Family Resource Center, Inc. of Central DeKalb. SCDC celebrated its 30th Anniversary on Nov. 3 at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History.

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“Read to Me Daddy” was the special project in the Pre-K classrooms for literacy month in November. Eight dads came in to read stories during the month and they all received certificates of appreciation along with big smiles from the children and the Pre-K staff. Pictured are Zachery Harden and dad Milano Harden, Sydney Davis and dad Kenneth Davis, and Najae Hall and stepdad Stephon Chavis.