Pathways to Accreditation
for Early Childhood EducatorsBenefits of
Pathways
A prestigious accomplishment that provides high-quality trainings, mentoring, evaluations, and professional development along with financial rewards to Watauga County early childhood education programs.
The purpose of the Pathways to Accreditation program is to give ongoing support to early educators to enhance the quality of early childcare settings by increasing positive teacher child interactions, developmentally appropriate practices and professionalism of the early childcare workforce.
Program Benefits
- Free trainings
- Free mentoring and coaching
- Free subscription to curriculum and assessment software
- Free evaluations of teachers and programs
- Free textbook and play kit rentals
- Free resources
- Eligibility for grants for classroom supplies and materials
- Professional learning communities
- Director support
Training Topics
- Relationships with children
- Leadership and management
- Family partnerships
- Curriculum
- Developmentally appropriate teaching strategies
- Indoor and outdoor environments
- Child assessment
- Healthy living
- Community relationships
High quality early education experiences play a critical role in fostering children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development, laying a strong foundation for lifelong success. Providing early educators with appropriate trainings and ongoing support ensures that children receive high-quality early childhood education, better preparing them for kindergarten and future academic success.
Accredited
Programs
The early childhood programs listed below have successfully met the standards and criteria set forth by the Children’s Council of Watauga County and have achieved Accreditation.
- ASU Child Development Center
- Blowing Rock Academy
- Little Jewels Family Child Care Home
- Lucy Brock Child Development Lab
- NC Pre-K: Bethel Elementary Developmental Day
- NC Pre-K: Blowing Rock Elementary — Lucy Brock Collaborative Classroom
- NC Pre-K: Green Valley Elementary
- NC Pre-K: Hardin Park Elementary
- NC Pre-K: Mabel Elementary Developmental Day
- NC Pre-K: Parkway Elementary — Lucy Brock Collaborative Classroom
- NC Pre-K: Valle Crucis Elementary
- Small Blessings Family Child Care Home
- Western TLC Head Start
Current Participants
The early childhood programs listed below are working towards meeting the standards and criteria set forth by the Children’s Council of Watauga County to achieve Accreditation.
- Kid Cove
- Kid Cove at Lynhill
- Mountain Pathways School
- Sugar Grove Developmental Day School
- Sunny Side Academy
Enroll or Request
Support
This program is open to both center-based programs and family child care home providers who are committed to strengthening their practice and engaging in meaningful reflection and growth.
Your Path to Accreditation:
- Attend information session and submit completed application
- Program evaluation conducted by Early Care and Education team (CLASS, PAS, etc.)
- Maintain engagement in trainings and mentoring
- Establish and maintain education requirements for Lead Teachers
- Establish and maintain compensation requirements for Lead Teachers
- Program scores and maintains “Good” or higher on selected areas of the Program Administration Scale (PAS)
- Lead Teachers score and maintain Levels “5” or above on all areas of the Classroom Assessment Scoring Systems (CLASS)
- Program maintains a 4 or 5 Star License Rating
- Program scores and maintains determined levels on any other quality measurement tool adopted by the Accreditation Program
- Program reaches full Accreditation Status!
Please contact our team to inquire whether this program aligns with your center’s goals and needs. We are here to support you every step of the way!
