Political Quotes

“If I can read this briefly from the amendment for my colleague from Indiana--the terms credentialing and accreditation are used to refer to formal credentialing and accreditation processes by a private nonprofit or public entity that is State recognized (minimum requirements: age-appropriate health and safety standards, age-appropriate developmental and educational activities as an integral part of the program, outside monitoring of the program/individual accreditation/credentialing instruments based on peer-validated research programs/facilities meet any applicable state and local licensing requirements, and on-going staff development/training which includes related skills testing). There are several organizations and a few states that currently provide accreditation and/or credentialing for early childhood development programs, child care and child care providers. That language was drafted with help by religious and non-profit groups. We specifically provide that they may create standards. We have really gotten away from the notion that standards must be set at the Federal level.”