For more information contact:

Michelle Quintana

505-820-3472, michelle.quintana@pmsnm.org

For immediate release:

November 23, 2021

Sweeney Head Start Earns National NAEYC Accreditation

Program recognized among the top in the nation by earning accreditation

Santa Fe, NM – Sweeney Head Start located in Santa Fe, has earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)—the world's largest organization working on behalf of young children.

NAEYC Accreditation is a rigorous and transformative system that uses a set of 10 research-based standards to drive quality-improvement in high-quality early learning environments. “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 Michelle Quintana, Director of Children’s Services for Presbyterian Medical Services.

To earn NAEYC Accreditation, Sweeney Head Start went through an extensive self-study and quality-improvement process, followed by an on-site visit by NAEYC Assessors to verify and ensure that the program met each of the ten program standards, and hundreds of corresponding individual criteria. NAEYC-accredited programs are always prepared for unannounced quality-assurance visits during their accreditation term, which lasts for five years.

In the 30 years since NAEYC Accreditation was established, it has become a widely recognized sign of high-quality early childhood education. More than 6,000 programs are currently accredited by NAEYC—less than 10 percent of all child care centers, preschools, and kindergartens nationally achieve this recognition.

“NAEYC-Accredited programs have committed to a process that takes time, energy and dedication to complete” states Alissa Mwenelupembe, Senior Director Early Learning Program Accreditation. “Sweeney Head Start has demonstrated their commitment to young children and their families.”

For more information about NAEYC Accreditation, visit the NAEYC website.