Lehigh Carbon Community College’s (LCCC) Early Learning Center (ELC), located at the main campus in Schnecksville, North Whitehall Township, has received accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the United States’ leading organization of early childhood professionals.

“We’re proud to have earned the gold standard of quality from NAEYC, and to be recognized for our commitment to reaching the highest professional standards,” said Mary Salinger, director of the LCCC Early Learning Center.

“NAEYC accreditation lets families in our community know that children in our high-quality program have teachers who create engaging classrooms, enhance relationships with their parents and families, and develop rich experiences for their students,” Salinger said.

The LCCC Early Learning Center has served Lehigh Valley children since 1972. The center is open year-round, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. serving children 3-5 years old.

To receive NAEYC accreditation, the Early Learning Center went through an extensive self-study process, measuring the program and its services against 10 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 10 program standards. NAEYC-accredited programs are also subject to unannounced visits during their accreditation, which lasts for five years.

In the 30 years since NAEYC Accreditation was established, it has become a widely-recognized sign of high-quality early childhood education. Nearly 7,000 programs are accredited by NAEYC, approximately 8 percent of all preschools and other early childhood programs.

“It’s a lengthy and rigorous process to achieve NAEYC accreditation, and LCCC Early Learning Center should be commended for seeking high standards,” said Rhian Evans Allvin, executive director of NAEYC.

“Caring for children is not ‘rocket science.’ It’s brain science. Studies prove that the brain connections made in the first few years of life set a child’s path for success in school and in life. That’s why quality educators are so crucial,” Evans Allvin said.

“For parents and caregivers of young children who are searching for a high-quality early learning experience, LCCC Early Learning Center NAEYC Accreditation is a sign that it offers a high-quality education in a nurturing and stimulating environment,” said Evans Allvin.

The NAEYC Accreditation system has set voluntary professional standards for programs for young children since 1985 and was created to set professional standards for early childhood education, and to help families identify high-quality preschools, child care centers, and other early education programs. Programs are accredited by NAEYC for a five-year period.

For information on the LCCC Early Learning Center program: lccc.edu/elc, 610-799-1165