DAPHNE, Ala.— Loving Care Children’s Center in Belforest has been certified by the National Accreditation Commission for children’s early care and education programs. It has been recognized as an early-care and education program that exemplifies excellence in the care of young children.

“What this means for the residents in Baldwin County that participate in our program is that parents can be assured of a high quality program for their children that is conducive to their individual growth and development,” director Karen Dees said.

“(The recognition) will do quite a bit,” toddler facilitator Wendy Truhel said. “Not only do we offer parents accreditation, we offer them peace of mind.”

The title also means that military families can receive child care support. The U.S. military will pay for child care services if the chosen facility is accredited.

Loving Care received its status by providing a high quality program for children; professional staff development opportunities; and a program exceeding state licensing requirements, according to accreditation stipulations.

The accreditation process first involved a self-analysis.

“During the self-study phase, parents, staff and administrators evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the program as they apply to the standards developed by the NAC,” Dees said.

An onsite inspection by NAC representatives followed the initial study.

“Each classroom is observed,” Dees said. “Parent and staff surveys are conducted.

“After critical examination, improvements are made,” Dees said.

National commissioners then assessed the information provided by Loving Care and the onsite observer and awarded the facility its accreditation.

The National Accreditation Commission—sponsored by the National Association of Child Care Professionals—aims to strengthen and enhance the credibility of leaders in the field of early child care and education; accreditation is valid for three years.

Accreditation requirements

An early-care and education program must meet an exhaustive list of criteria to receive accreditation, according to www.naccp.org, the commission’s official Web site.

“We offer full-day care for children 6 weeks to 3 years old with individual lesson plans for each child based on a normal development path,” Dees said.

“We offer a full- and half-day preschool program for children 3 to 5 years old,” she said.

“This program offers activities in math, science, language and literacy as well as social skills, problem-solving skills and home living skills,” Dees said.

“We provide a hands-on approach to learning,” she said.

“We plant gardens to teach math skills like colors and shapes.

“We always make sure that we provide an abundance of books for the children, starting in the infant department,” Dees said.  “This is where the love for reading begins.”

Problem-solving skills at Loving Care means sometimes allowing the children to figure out the answers on their own.

“Stepping back and letting children communicate with each other is an important component to problem solving among themselves,” Dees said.

“We mediate for children, letting them discover a safe solution between them. We try only to intervene when safety is an issue,” she said.

“We provide professional training opportunities for staff and we demonstrate that the center exceeds minimum state licensing requirements for child care programs,” Dees said.

Loving Care is the only Baldwin daycare that has received accreditation, according to the NAC’s Web site.

Loving Care’s staff includes: Alicia Rodgers, assistant director; Shelley Dukes and Sara Pruitt, infant providers; Alison Ingle, 2-year-old facilitator; Tijuana Rencher, 3-year-old Pre-K facilitator; Dominique McCrary, 4-year-old Pre-K facilitator; and Crissy Parish, food manager.

Loving Care Children’s Center serves families from all over Baldwin County.

“We have children from Daphne, Fairhope, Robertsdale, Loxley and Bay Minette,” Dees said.

Loving Care is at 10142 County Road 64, just east of the Alabama Highway 181 and County Road 64 intersection.

Call 626-1855 for more.