Hurlburt CDC receives re-accreditation Published May 5, 2017 By Senior Airman Krystal M. Garrett 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Thanks to the dedicated personnel at Hurlburt Field’s Child Development Center Main, the CDC received a re-accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children, March 28. The NAEYC accreditation is a national accreditation system with set professional standards for early childhood education programs. To be awarded an accreditation, a program must meet at least 80 percent of assessed criteria for each program standard and meet at least 70 percent of assessed criteria for each class selected for assessment. “The accreditation is seeking an outside national entity for Air Force Child Development Programs to validate our developmental practices for children are high quality,” said Sharon Brewer, chief of Child and Youth Program Services with the 1st Special Operations Force Support Squadron. “Our personnel invest in high quality early childhood education to help give children their best start.” To earn the accreditation, the CDCs underwent an extensive self-study process. The process measured programs and its delivery of services to children and families against 10 Early Childhood Program Standards. Along with a site visit, the CDCs completed classroom portfolios. In addition to the accreditation, Hurlburt’s CDC Main received several commendations, which are given when program standards receive a score of 100 percent. “The CDC received commendations in relationships, health, teachers, families and leadership and management areas,” said Meta Sills, director of Hurlburt’s CDC Main. “With the accreditation and these commendations, families of young children who attend the CDC can be confident that they receive the highest level quality of early care and education.”The CDC provides care for more than 200 children ages six weeks to five years and employs more than 75 professionals who aid in fostering children development.