Early-Childhood-Accreditation Demand Overwhelms NAEYC

By Linda Jacobson

For child-care centers and preschools, accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children sets them apart from the country's multitude of other early- childhood programs. For parents, choosing an accredited center provides some level of assurance that their child is in a safe and nurturing environment.

But now, with pressure from policymakers and assistance from a variety of organizations to get programs accredited, the NAEYC is struggling to meet the increasing demand. Center directors complain of long delays in the process and inconsistency among those coordinating and performing the on-site visits.

"The question is, are they being swamped by success?" said Sylvia Henry, the director of Westwood Presbyterian Preschool, one of the first programs to earn accreditation in the Los Angeles area. "It's a system that I don't want...