Dr. Day Care Smithfield Earns National Accreditation

SMITHFIELD, R.I. - Dec. 4, 2014 - PRLog -- Smithfield, RI - Dr. Day Care Learning Center has earned national accreditation from the National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (http://www.necpa.net/) (NECPA).  Early childhood centers are evaluated based on standards that ensure the highest level of education and quality.   Dr. Day Care strives to have all of their centers earn national accreditation.

“Receiving accreditation from NECPA signifies that Dr. Day Care Learning Center is a leader in early childhood education,” said Dr. Mary Ann Shallcross Smith, the CEO and President of Dr. Day Care.  “National accreditation shows our community and families that we strive to offer the highest level of care and early learning experiences for children.”  Smithfield Administrators Danielle Mutter and Stephanie Moreau state that “Being nationally accredited is important to us because it shows the hard work and dedication we have for the educational success and well-being of all of our children.”

To earn NECPA accreditation, Dr. Day Care Learning Center completed an extensive self-study process, measuring the program and its services against the NECPA standards.  These standards assess quality in the areas of adult and child interaction, staff qualifications, health and safety, physical environment, administration, and parent and community relationships.  Before an early childhood program can seek NECPA accreditation, it must be in operation for at least one full year, to allow the program time to fully develop its operational processes, establish the program’s mission and curriculum, and fully orient the staff.

Dr. Day Care Learning Center in Smithfield is proud to receive this honor. The NECPA National Accreditation Council and Commission has determined that “Dr. Day Care Smithfield upholds the NECPA standards and therefore receives full Accreditation designation. Dr. Day Care Smithfield now joins a select group of early childhood care and education programs nationwide and internationally which have shown an exceptional commitment to professional and programmatic quality through Accreditation. This program is commended for achieving full Accreditation. This achievement highlights the dedication of the program to high quality early childhood care and education.”

Seeking NECPA accreditation is a voluntary process for licensed early childhood centers in Rhode Island.  According to a 2014 study by Child Care Aware in America, (http://www.naccrra.org/sites/default/files/rhode_island.pdf) only 10% of centers in RI are nationally accredited.  Programs that voluntarily seek out national accreditation show their commitment to quality.

Dr. Day Care Learning Center was founded by Dr. Mary Ann Shallcross Smith (known as “Dr. Day Care” to most).  Each center utilizes the Teaching Strategies Creative Curriculum and is aligned to the Rhode Island Early Learning and Development Standards (RIELDS).  Their mission is to provide family, youth and child services in a safe, structured, and nurturing environment through a team of dedicated professionals.

For more information about Dr. Day Care, visit www.drdaycare.com .