CDC proves quality care, education Published Jan. 10, 2013 By Senior Airman Chase Hedrick 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The Columbus Air Force Base Child Development Center extended its legacy of excellence on Dec. 19, 2012 after receiving five years of accreditation for its programs from the National Association for the Education of Young Children. NAEYC, the world's largest organization is the largest organization working on behalf of young children according to their website, provides accreditation for programs that are committed to meeting national standards. "If you think of colleges and universities that get accredited through various commissions, this accreditation is a look at our program that means we meet the highest standards of child development programs," said Martha Man, CDC Director. The Columbus AFB CDC has been accredited since 1993 and is one of only 37 NAEYC accredited child development programs in Mississippi. The accreditation requires programs meet an extensive list of standards in categories surrounding traditional early childhood education. "Curriculum, interactions between children and staff and of course all of our records; everything from immunizations to when the carpets were last shampooed," said Mann Exceeding program requirements to provide children with a higher level of care scored some aspects of the CDC the traditional 100 percent score said Mann. Child and staff interactions, leadership and management, and community relations were some of the most highly scored standards in the most recent accreditation. Mann said the Columbus AFB CDC is currently planning to seek reaccreditation in 2018.