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Challenge School Preschool NAEYC Journey - Accredited since 2015
First Mandarin Immersion School to be accredited
Challenge School is so proud to be the first Mandarin immersion school in California to receive accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). We wholeheartedly thank the generous support from all Challenge School children and families, as well as all the hard effort of our staff.
This was not an easy journey. Challenge School and our staff went through an extensive self study process, measuring the program and our services against ten NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards and more than four hundred accreditation criteria. In California, at present, there are approximately 15,000 licensed preschools. Of these, only 5% (approximately 500) have achieved NAEYC Accreditation. Challenge School is the first Mandarin immersion school to earn such prestigious status.
East meets West
We are the first Mandarin immersion school in California to achieve NAEYC accreditation. It is especially meaningful to us as the teaching styles are very different between Eastern and Western cultures.
Our Chinese traditional teaching favors the of use teacher directed methods where teachers stand in front of children and deliver instructions. Children recite or copy what the teacher says. Children learn a lot through constant repetition and recitation. Traditional Chinese teaching also focuses on academics.
On the contrary, the Western teaching methods are more flexible and creative. NAEYC particularly emphasizes the relationships between children and teachers. NAEYC wants to see a positive, sensitive, warm, and respectful relationship with children. As a result, teachers no longer stand in front but move among the children. Curriculum is no longer just academic, but also focuses on other areas like social, emotional, and creative development.
There are merits to both teaching methods. Challenge School is very proud to be able to find a balance point and be recognized by the most prestigious, independent, and internationally recognized professional organization in the field of Early Childhood Education (NAEYC.)
Why accreditation?
Accreditation makes a difference. Accreditation is a mark of excellence that is awarded by an independent professional organization. When a center achieves accreditation, it has to demonstrate that it continuously maintains high standards of quality in the area of early childhood education.
NAEYC administers the largest and most widely internationally recognized, voluntary, professionally sponsored accreditation system for all types of early childhood schools and child care centers. The NAEYC is the nation's largest organization of early childhood educators.
Please also see what others have said about NAEYC accreditation:
About NAEYC
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is a professional membership organization that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through age 8, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research.
NAEYC advances a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and supports all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children.
To achieve accreditation, centers must adhere to NAEYC's 10 standards.