West Hills Lemoore Child Care Center gets good news from major accreditation association

“Accreditation for the center is huge,” said Nancy Jeffcoach, site supervisor for the child development center. “It means that we have been acknowledged for the outstanding job we are doing educating and caring for young children.” 

The center received accreditation on Nov. 1 and will be accredited for five years before renewal is required. Their accreditation from 2005 expired in 2010, and due to restructuring of the staff at that time, they did not reapply.

While there was a three-year gap in the program’s accreditation, Jeffcoach said the staff and program were held to the standards of NAEYC. She said it is part of the reason the center was so successful in acquiring accreditation again this year.

“This brings added recognition to the great job that our staff is doing in serving our community and meeting the needs of educating young children,” said Don Warkentin, president of WHCL.

The center provides preschool and child care classes for children 6 weeks old to 5 years old. State preschool and kindergarten readiness programs are also offered for children in the same age range.

Currently the program is providing care for over 100 families. Jeffcoach said the accreditation will help ensure the program stays full for years to come.

“The accreditation also provides the county the assurance that WHC Lemoore can offer families in the Kings County area high-quality learning - something that is only currently offered to the military families,” said Jeffcoach.

The WHCL child development center is one of several in the area run by West Hills Community College District, including those located in Coalinga, Firebaugh, Avenal and San Joaquin.