Cuesta College Children’s Center earns top national accreditation
Program serves families at San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles campuses
– The Cuesta College Children’s Center has earned Accreditation+ from the National Association for the Education of Young Children, marking the highest tier of the organization’s national accreditation for early childhood education programs, according to Cuesta College.
The Children’s Center serves local families and operates as a laboratory school supporting Cuesta College’s Child Development and Family Studies programs. The center completed the accreditation process after beginning pursuit of the designation during the 2022–23 academic year.
The program provides childcare services that support student parents in San Luis Obispo County, where the cost and availability of childcare can affect access to higher education. By offering childcare services, the program supports students in remaining enrolled and continuing their coursework.
Accreditation+ indicates that a program meets research-based criteria related to interactions, curriculum, teacher qualifications, health and safety standards, and family engagement. The accreditation process is voluntary and includes site visits, ongoing review, and additional quality benchmarks.
“Achieving NAEYC Accreditation+ highlights the dedication of our Children’s Center employees and the entire Cuesta College community to nurturing young learners and supporting future educators,” said Maddy Chevalier, director of the Children’s Center. “This recognition affirms the high-quality care and education we provide, and underscores our role as a model of early childhood excellence in the region.”
The Children’s Center serves children between 18 months and five years old at two locations, including the San Luis Obispo Campus and the North County Campus in Paso Robles. The program also provides learning opportunities for Cuesta College students preparing for careers in early childhood education.
Additional information about the Cuesta College Children’s Center is available at cuesta.edu/community/childrenscenter.
