Examining the Effects of Accreditation on Military Child Development Center Operations and OutcomesThis study explores the implementation of one provision of the Military Child Care Act of 1989. The MCCA aims to improve the availability and quality of child care services in the military. It also seeks to standardize the delivery and quality of care across installations and military services. Most changes focus on staffing, training, compensation, and funding, but one provision requires that at least 50 military child development centers (CDCs) be accredited in accordance with the standards of a national accrediting body for early childhood programs. This report analyzes the accreditation process, professionalism, and interactions; explores the perceived effect of accreditation on child outcomes; and assesses the incremental value of accreditation over the benefits associated with DoD certification of CDCs. |
Contents
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY | 3 |
Experiences with the SelfStudy and Validation Visits | 20 |
CDS Management Perspectives | 29 |
Copyright | |
Common terms and phrases
Academy of Early accreditation of CDCs accreditation on child accreditation policy accreditation standards accredited CDCs accredited centers achieving accreditation Air Force assess benefits of accreditation Bredekamp caregiver-to-child ratio caregivers CDC personnel CDC staff certification and accreditation certification standards changes child abuse Child Care Act child care programs child development child development centers child outcomes civilian centers classroom command representatives compliance concerning curriculum specialists deadline deficiencies DoD certification Early Childhood Programs effect of accreditation evaluation facility family day goals group sizes Health Care Survey installation visits interactions with children interviews kindergarten teachers mail survey Major Command MCCA implementation military CDCs NAEYC standards Navy nonaccredited centers overall parent advisory parent surveys percent preschool program description RAND ratios and group Ruopp sample self-study process specific staff-child study design training and curriculum U.S. Army U.S. Marine Corps U.S. Navy unannounced inspections validation visit value of accreditation