Efforts Recognized

Children's Center Earns National Accreditation

July 13, 2010

The Cal State Fullerton Children’s Center, a program of Associated Students, Inc., 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 have earned the mark of quality from NAEYC for the second time, and to be recognized for our commitment to reaching the highest professional standards,” said Betsy Gibbs, children’s center director. “NAEYC accreditation lets families know that children in our program are getting the best care and early learning experiences possible,” says Gibbs.

Approximately eight percent of all preschools and other early childhood programs are currently accredited by NAEYC. To earn accreditation, the Children’s Center went through an extensive self-study process, measuring the program and its services against the 10 NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards and more than 400 related accreditation criteria.

“The NAEYC accreditation system raises the bar for preschools, child care centers and other early childhood programs,” said Mark Ginsberg, the association’s executive director. “The CSUF Children’s Center’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.”

The Children’s Center serves infants, toddlers and preschool-age children whose parents are CSUF students, as well as children of university faculty and staff members. ASI underwrites the costs of the program, which also receives funding from U.S. and California departments of education.

Construction is ongoing for a new center facility, which is slated for occupancy in mid-spring 2011. Click here to see images of the construction.

The 16,300-square-foot project is designed as a complex of three one-story buildings with 10 classrooms, two play areas, an administrative wing and a full-service kitchen to serve about 122 full-time positions or about 240 toddler- to kindergarten-age children. The design, created by Carde Ten Architects of Santa Monica, accommodates about 20 percent more children than the existing facility and was designed to meet the equivalent of a silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating.

Overall budget for the Children’s Center is $9.3 million for site preparation, construction and landscaping and equipment.