Early Learning Center earns national accreditation

Press Release

Release Date: Aug. 27, 2018

EVERETT, Wash. – Everett Community College’s Early Learning Center has earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

More than 7,000 programs are currently accredited by NAEYC. Less than 10 percent of all child care centers, preschools, and kindergartens nationally achieve this recognition. 

The association created its accreditation program in 1985 to set professional standards for early childhood education and to help families identify high-quality child-care and education programs.

EvCC’s Early Learning Center provides licensed childcare for 115 children 1-5 years old at the college’s north Everett campus. 

“Obtaining NAEYC accreditation means our program meets the highest quality standards in 10 areas including relationships, curriculum, health and safety, family support and community engagement,” said Early Learning Center Director Kristina Saunsaucie. “Our team of teachers and staff put in many hours to document how we meet these rigorous standards and are now setting even higher goals for our program to ensure that the care and education we provide to student and community families is the highest quality.”

The center cares for children of students, college employees and community families. Families can choose to enroll quarterly or for the academic year for either Monday through Friday or Monday through Thursday. 

Based on income, children may also be eligible for free preschool through ECEAP (Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program). Current EvCC students who are enrolled in a minimum of three credits receive priority enrollment and a reduced rate. 

To earn accreditation, the ELC conducted a self-study and completed an extensive application process. Then skilled NAEYC program assessors visited the program to determine that it meets NAEYC standards. Following accreditation, all programs are subject to random, unannounced visits by assessors to ensure that the programs continue to meet these standards.

The ELC earned accreditation through August 2023. 

For more information about EvCC’s Early Learning Center, call 425-388-9121.

About the National Association for the Education of Young Children 
NAEYC is the foremost professional membership organization committed to transforming the lives of young children and delivering on the promise of high-quality early learning. NAEYC represents tens of thousands of early childhood educators who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children, birth through age 8.