ROCKLAND — Rockland Harbor YMCA’s Childcare Center has earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)—the world's largest organization working on behalf of young children, according to Penobscot Bay YMCA, in a news release.

NAEYC accreditation is a rigorous and transformative quality-improvement system that uses a set of 10 research-based standards to collaborate with early education programs to recognize and drive quality-improvement in high-quality early learning environments.

“We’re proud to have earned the mark of quality from NAEYC, and to be recognized for our commitment to reaching the highest professional standards,” said Mary Bonney, childcare director, in a news release.

To earn NAEYC Accreditation, the Rockland Harbor YMCA went through an extensive self-study and quality-improvement process, followed by an on-site visit by NAEYC assessors to verify and ensure that the program met each of the ten program standards, and hundreds of corresponding individual criteria. NAEYC-accredited programs are always prepared for unannounced quality-assurance visits during their accreditation term, which lasts for five years.

“In addition to earning our accreditation, we are so proud to announce Myra McClure, Rockland Harbor Y Pre-school Teacher, won the 2022 Terri Lynne Lokoff Teacher Award, one of two teachers in Maine to receive the award,” said Mary Bonney.

This award recognizes and celebrates the achievements of outstanding early care and education teachers and brings attention to the critical role these teachers play in the lives of young children. Up to 50 awards are presented each year and award recipients receive a cash prize, a virtual experience to participate in the Terri Lynne Lokoff Teacher Awards weekend-long celebration, opportunities to connect with peers, exchange ideas, and ongoing professional learning and program enrichment opportunities.

In the 30 years since NAEYC Accreditation was established, it has become a widely recognized sign of high-quality early childhood education. More than 6,000 programs are currently accredited by NAEYC—less than 10 percent of all child care centers, preschools, and kindergartens nationally achieve this recognition, according to the release.

“NAEYC-Accredited programs have committed to a process that takes time, energy and dedication to complete” said Alissa Mwenelupembe, Senior Director Early Learning Program Accreditation. “Rockland Harbor YMCA Childcare has demonstrated their commitment to young children and their families.”

For more information about NAEYC Accreditation, visit the NAEYC website.