PRESS RELEASE

St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church of Pasadena
L. & H. Tavlian Preschool & Kindergarten
Earns National NAEYC 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 Helen Manoucherians, Director of L. & H. Tavlian Preschool & Kindergarten in Pasadena. “NAEYC Accreditation lets families in our community know that children in our program are getting the best care and early learning experiences possible.”

Our mission is to provide a high quality early childhood education program by following these ethical codes:

o    Ensure that the program is based on current knowledge of child development and early childhood education.

o   Enrich young children through developmentally appropriate learning experiences as we build the foundation for lifelong learning.

o    Serve as advocates for children.

o    Support families in their task of nurturing children.

o    Transmit the Armenian culture, values, and heritage to young children in order to build self identity.

o    Respect and support families and children with diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

L. & H. Tavlian Preschool & Kindergarten’s director Helen Manoucherians proudly states: “Our Kindergarten is the first one among Armenian schools to receive the NAEYC accreditation.”

To earn NAEYC Accreditation, L. & H. Tavlian Preschool & Kindergarten went through 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 ten 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 8 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. “L. & H. Tavlian Preschool & Kindergarten’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.

For more information contact:
L. & H. Tavlian Preschool & Kindergarten
1317 Sinaloa Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91104
Helen Manoucherians, Director
Tel: (626) 398-8199

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