The Bethel University King Family Foundation Child Development Center, located in the Frogtown/Summit-University neighborhood, has been accredited by the nation’s leading organization of early childhood professionals—the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Only eight percent of the nation’s preschools and other early childhood programs have earned this recognition.

“NAEYC Accreditation lets families in our community know that children in our program are getting the best care and early learning experiences possible,” said Talaya Tolefree, director of the Bethel University King Family Foundation Child Development Center. “It is unusual for children and families in urban communities to have the opportunity to participate in high-quality early education from a Christ-centered perspective. We are able to provide both on a daily basis.”

NAEYC Accreditation was established in 1985 and has become a widely recognized sign of high-quality early childhood education. “The 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. “Bethel University’s King Family Foundation Child Development Center’s NAEYC Accreditation is a sign that they are a leader in a national effort to help give all children a better start.”

The NAEYC Accreditation system 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. Earning and keeping accreditation is a rigorous process. To earn a five-year accreditation, a program must meet each of the 10 NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards.

The King Family Foundation Child Development Center provides children from the Frogtown/Summit-University community quality, Christ-centered care and education, while simultaneously providing Bethel education students with experiential learning that is community-based, enhancing their ability to be strong, culturally responsive teachers. The center is part of Bethel’s commitment to the Frogtown/Summit-University neighborhood.