The Only NAEYC Accredited PPEC

Each of our PPEC (Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care) centers offers nursing services, therapy services, lots of warm hugs, and plenty of fun. Children who attend our centers will receive therapy services such as occupational, physical, and speech therapy as well as any specialty medical care they require daily.

One component unique to ChildrenFirst is our accreditation. We are the only PPEC center in the United States to be awarded the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation. The education of the children in our care is crucial to us. We value the fact that we are able to provide high-quality, specialized services to Orlando and surrounding areas.

What is NAEYC?

NAEYC stands for National Association for the Education of Young Children. They are responsible for accrediting early childhood development centers and preschools across the United States. To be accredited confirms that the facility has met the 10 national stands. These standards are the developmentally appropriate practices that children from birth to age five should have.

10 National Standards of NAEYC

NAEYC developed 10 national standards to encourage the program’s accountability. The standards promote early childhood development programs to provide high-quality educational experiences. Each standard was created with children, administration, partnerships, and teaching staff in mind. To become an accredited facility, each one of these standards must be met.

ChildrenFirst is dedicated to ensuring each of the NAECY standards are met. We pride ourselves on being the only PPEC in the United States to be awarded the accreditation. It is important to us that children with medically complex needs receive the education they deserve in addition to the medical services they require.

We feel it is valuable for you to know the 10 NAEYC standards and how ChildrenFirst is achieving them each day. As we go through each standard, we will share the program standard from NAEYC and how we achieve them daily at ALL of our PPEC centers throughout Central Florida.

Standard 1: Relationships

Program Standard: “The program promotes positive relationships between all children and adults to encourage each child’s sense of individual worth and belonging as part of a community and to foster each child’s ability to contribute as a responsible community member.”  (NAEYC)

ChildrenFirst Approach: At ChildrenFirst, our caring staff uses warm, sensitive, and responsive interactions with the children who attend our PPEC centers. This encourages them to develop positive self-worth as well as respect and how to cooperate with others. When a child feels valued it increases their sense of security, they thrive physically and interact positively with others. These relationships will promote a child’s capacity for self-regulation, constructive interactions with others, and academic functioning and mastery.

Standard 2: Curriculum

Program Standard: “The program implements a curriculum that is consistent with its goals for children, and that promotes learning and development in each of the following areas: social, emotional, physical, language, and cognitive.”  (NAEYC)

ChildrenFirst Approach: We implement a curriculum that has been developed for children with a variety of developmental delays. Our curriculum encourages learning through structured activities as well as play. The curriculum allows our teachers to have an intentional plan each day to promote learning.

Standard 3: Teaching

Program Standard: “The program uses a variety of developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate and effective teaching approaches that enhance each child’s learning and development in the context of the program’s curriculum goals.” (NAEYC)

ChildrenFirst: We understand that each child who attends our PPECs is unique. They each have an individual background, interests, experiences, learning styles, developmental delays, and medical needs. Our knowledgeable and nurturing education team provides a specialized opportunity for growth and stimulation to every child each day. Their approach to teaching is specific and individualized to each child. Our education team consists of teacher assistants, teacher aides, and specialized teaching and support staff, who all work together to create a positive learning environment.

Standard 4: Assessment of Child’s Progress

Program Standard: “The program uses a variety of formal and informal assessment approaches to provide information on children’s learning and development. These assessments occur in the context of reciprocal communications between teachers and families and with sensitivity to the cultural contexts in which children are developing. The program uses assessment results to inform decisions about the children in their care, to improve teaching practices, and to drive program improvement.” (NAEYC)

ChildrenFirst: Education is an essential part of each day at ChildrenFirst. Our PPEC centers are specifically designed to encourage the independence of children with complex medical needs while helping them reach their full potential. In addition, daily clinical interventions and therapy services, we provide educational activities. Our educational team updates parents daily on their child’s educational progress.

Standard 5: Health

Program Standard: “The program promotes the nutrition and health of children and protects children and staff from illness.” (NAEYC)

ChildrenFirst: The health of each child who attends ChildrenFirst is our number one priority. We understand that the children in our care have complex medical needs and require specialized medical care. We focus on the complete physical, moral, mental, and social well-being of each child.

Standard 6: Staff Competencies, Preparation, and Support

Program Standard: “The program employs and supports a teaching and administrative staff that have the qualifications, knowledge, and professional commitment necessary to promote children’s learning and development and to support families’ diverse needs and interests.” (NAEYC)

ChildrenFirst: Our education team includes certified preschool teachers and support staff. We believe children in early learning programs benefit most when teachers and administrative staff have an education and/or professional training.

7: Families

Program Standard: “The program establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with each child’s family to foster children’s development in all settings. These relationships are sensitive to family composition, language, and culture.” (NAEYC)

ChildrenFirst: We encourage families to participate and be an active part of their child’s education. At the same time, keeping the family updated on the child’s educational activities during his/her time at the PPEC. It’s important for us to establish relationships with each child’s family to promote optimal learning.

Standard 8: Community Relationships

Program Standards: “The program establishes relationships with and uses the resources of the children’s communities to support the achievement of program goals.” (NAEYC)

ChildrenFirst: We value community and inclusion. ChildrenFirst knows what it takes to care for medically fragile and medically complex infants and children. Our relationship with the Central Florida community is focused on providing area families with the services, expertise, and support they need. Children and their families are our top priority and focus.

Our valued partnerships are:

• Nathaniel’s Hope
• Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida
• Autism Society of Greater Orlando
• Spina Bifida Association of Central Florida
• The Gift Of Life
• Easter Seal
• Epilepsy Foundation of Florida
• Center for Autism & Related Disabilities
• The Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America
• Florida Hands & Voices

Standard 9: Physical Environment

Program Standard: “The program has a safe and healthful environment that provides appropriate and well maintained indoor and outdoor physical environments. The environment includes facilities, equipment, and materials to facilitate child and staff learning and development.” (NAEYC)

ChildrenFirst Approach: Our PPEC centers are specifically designed to optimize the development of each child. Being a place that provides services and cares for children with complex medical needs means we have to have a facility that supports education, medical, and therapy. The physical environment supports the variety of high-quality services and activities we provide. All of our PPECs are welcoming and accessible and safe for children, their families, and staff.

Standard 10: Leadership and Management

Program Standard: “The program effectively implements policies, procedures, and systems that support stable staff and strong personnel, fiscal, and program management so all children, families, and staff have high-quality experiences.” (NAEYC)

ChildrenFirst Approach: The leadership and management at ChildfrenFirst are impeccable. They have created well-functioning administrative policies, procedures, and systems that keep the company running smoothly. In turn, allowing us to provide high-quality care and education to medically fragile and medically complex children throughout Central Florida.

Who Qualifies for PPEC Services?

Admissions range depending on a child’s medical complexity. As long as the child requires some form of nursing need or has a severe developmental disability, they are a candidate. Children who qualify for PPEC services may be on a ventilator or have Autism as well as Asthma. Ultimately, if they have a medical need that requires specialty care, services, and/or durable medical equipment, they qualify.

Common Qualifications for PPEC Services:

There are many different reasons that a child may benefit from attending a PPEC and not a traditional day care. In some cases, a child may not even have the option of going to a traditional daycare because they might not have an environment that can support their required medical care. Here are some of the common medical needs that typically require and qualify for specialty services that a PPEC provides.

• Feeding Tube
• G-Tube
• Apnea Monitor
• Trach
• Ventilator
• If the Child Seizures
• Traumatic Injury that Requires Rehabilitative Services

ChildrenFirst – The Only NAEYC Accredited PPEC

ChildrenFirst believes every medically fragile and medically complex child deserves the best possible health care services as well as a quality education. We value our NAEYC accreditation and find pride in bringing Central Florida families an option where their child can benefit from both. We would love to have the opportunity to meet you and your child. Contact us today if you are searching for a PPEC in Orlando or surrounding areas.