St. John Health System’s Chapman Child Learning Center, the system’s employee child care program, has earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the nation’s leading organization of early childhood professionals.
“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 Judy Priebe, St. John Chapman Child Learning Center director. “NAEYC accreditation indicates our employees’ children are receiving the best care and early learning experiences possible, and it certifies our commitment to the highest level of education for these children.”
To earn NAEYC accreditation, St. John Chapman Child Learning Center completed an extensive self-study process, measuring the program and its services against the 10 NAEYC early childhood program standards and more than 400 related accreditation criteria. The program received NAEYC accreditation after a site visit by NAEYC assessors to ensure that the program meets each of the 10 program standards. NAEYC-accredited programs are also subject to unannounced visits during their accreditation, which lasts for five years.
In the 23 years since NAEYC accreditation was established, it has become a widely recognized sign of high-quality early childhood education. Almost 8,000 programs, serving one million young children, are currently accredited by NAEYC – approximately eight percent of all preschools and other early childhood programs.
“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. “St. John’s NAEYC accreditation is a sign that they are a leader in a national effort to invest in high-quality early childhood education, and to help give all children a better start.”
The NAEYC accreditation system has set voluntary professional standards for programs for young children since 1985. In September 2006, the Association revised program standards and criteria to introduce a new level of quality, accountability, and service for parents and children in child care programs. The new standards today reflect the latest research and best practices in early childhood education and development. NAEYC is committed to utilizing the newest studies and analysis on positive child outcomes to ensure young children continue receiving the highest-quality care and education possible.
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. To earn NAEYC accreditation, a program must meet each of the 10 NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards. Programs are accredited by NAEYC for a five-year period.
About the Chapman Child Learning Center and St. John Health System
St. John Health System is an 83-year-old, not-for-profit Catholic healthcare system founded by the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother. The Chapman Child Learning Center was established in 1959 by Sister Mary Clara, one of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother and director of pediatrics at St. John’s Hospital, later St. John Medical Center. Sister Mary Clara opened the center to ease staff concerns about finding and keeping adequate care for their young children. The center opened in 1959 as the Holy Family Day Care Nursery, accommodating 30 children. Since that time, the center has expanded several times to accommodate the growing demand for child care. The most recent expansion and renovation occurred in January 1993, when the center was renamed to honor the long-time donor and friend of St. John, the late Leta McFarlin Chapman.
St John Health System operates hospitals in Tulsa, Owasso, Sapulpa and Bartlesville. A fifth hospital is currently under construction in Broken Arrow. Other subsidiaries of St. John Health System include OMNI Medical Group primary care physicians, St. John Physicians, Inc. multi-specialty group physician practice; St. John Urgent Care Centers, St. John Villas Senior Living Centers and medical complexes in South Tulsa and Claremore.
