New York State has regulations for child care centers, school age programs, family child care and group family child care. The regulations cover basic health and safety issues, limit the number of children each adult cares for, define the required training hours and topics that providers must take, and outline the procedure that must be followed for providers or programs that fail to follow the regulations.
State regulations are no guarantee of a quality program. Accreditation by a national organization requires that programs meet a higher standard than state regulation.
The Child Care Council of Westchester encourages all programs to seek accreditation so they may provide a higher level of quality care for the children enrolled.
To learn more about accreditation and professional credentials contact, Idie Benjamin, Director of Professional Development at (914)761-3456 ext. 108 or idieb@cccwny.org.
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See a list of accredited programs and providers in Westchester County. Click here.
The following organizations offer accreditation based on national quality standards.
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
This organization has developed a set of quality standards that center-based programs must meet to receive accreditation. Receipt of accreditation indicates that an early education program provides a high quality learning environment for children that exceeds the threshold for quality set by licensing requirements. Programs must complete a self-study, submit an application, and have ratings verified by an NAEYC validator.
National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC)
This professional organization offers education and support for quality programming in family child care. It has developed a set of standards that define quality for family child care homes. To have a program accredited by NAFCC, the family child care home provider must complete a self study to rate the degree to which standards are met, submit an application to NAFCC, and have the ratings validated by an NAFCC Observer.
AfterSchool Works! New York
This state wide organization has developed the NYS Afterschool Program Accreditation model, a meaningful, accessible and affordable program accreditation model for after school providers in New York State. Visit their website, afterschoolworksny.org, to view the following documents, see a list of accredited programs, and get more information.
- Guide to NYS Afterschool Program Accreditation
- Forms, Applications, Surveys and Checklists Package (in which you will find both the program and accreditation coach applications)
- NYS Afterschool Program Accreditation Program Practices Self-Study Tool (the foundation of the accreditation process)
- FAQs about NYS Afterschool Program Accreditation
- Brief overview of the proposed field test
Council on Accreditation (COA)
National accreditation is available for school age programs that choose to undertake this process. The Council on Accreditation has developed COA After School Standards, a comprehensive, yet program specific, set of quality standards for after school program recognition and accreditation. These standards and after school program recognition opportunities support quality in areas such as programming, continuous quality improvement, developing and maintaining healthy relationships, training and professional development, and staff supervision and support. The National Afterschool Association advises COA on accrediting after school programs.
Prior to August 31, 2008, the National Afterschool Association accredited after school programs. Go to www.naaweb.org to see a listing of accredited programs.
American Camping Association (ACA)
Summer day camps accredited by the ACA must meet up to 300 standards for health, safety, and program quality.
Professional Credential
CDA Programs at the Council
The CDA is a nationally recognized professional credential. The Child Care Council offers two CDA programs – an online class with monthly support and an in-person class.
INFANT/TODDLER CDA TRAINING
CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION
THE ONLINE eCDA™ FOR INFANT/TODDLER OR PRESCHOOL
CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION
Additional Credentials
The links below contain information on programs that have been established to improve the competencies of people working with children and their families. Learn more about the process and requirements for completing and obtaining each of the credentials.
Click here to view a chart that contains information on CDA and various other credentials for childcare professionals.
Colleges and Universities
The links below contain information on colleges and universities that offer degrees in Early Childhood Education. Learn more about how to continue your education by pursuing an advanced degree that will increase your marketability and enhance your skills as an educator.
Westchester Community College
Lehman College
Fordham University
Manhattanville College
Mercy College
Monroe College
SUNY Purchase
College New Rochelle
Empire State College
