Ka Paʻalana Earns National NAEYC Accreditation November 16, 2023

Program recognized among the top in the nation by earning accreditation

(KAPOLEI, HI) – Partners in Development Foundation (PIDF) Ka Paʻalana Homeless Family Education Program located in Kapolei has earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)—the world’s largest organization working on behalf of young children. 

NAEYC Accreditation is a rigorous and transformative quality-improvement system that uses a set of 10 research-based standards to collaborate with early education programs to recognize and drive quality-improvement in high-quality early learning environments. “This was a major endeavor and accomplishment and benefitted the entire program by this continued effort to ensure poʻokela (excellence) in all aspects of program staffing, curriculum, and practices,” said Terry Nakamura, PIDF Interim Vice President of Operations and Program Manager at Ka Paʻalana Homeless Family Education Program.” 

Ka Paʻalana provides comprehensive family education programming for homeless/at-risk families with young children on the west coast of Oʻahu and East Hawaiʻi Island. Annually, the Ka Paʻalana program serves about 400 children ages birth to five and their caregivers by preparing children for school, equipping caregivers to be their child’s first teachers, and empowering adults to move toward self-sufficiency and give back to their community.  

Ka Paʻalana first earned NAEYC accreditation in 2013, and every five years, pursues reaccreditation through an extensive self-study and quality-improvement process, followed by an on-site visit by NAEYC Assessors to ensure that the program meets each of the ten program standards, and hundreds of corresponding individual criteria.  

In the 30 years since NAEYC Accreditation was established, it has become a widely recognized sign of high-quality early childhood education. Nationally, less than 10 percent of all childcare centers, preschools, and kindergartens achieve this recognition.   

“NAEYC-Accredited programs have committed to a process that takes time, energy, and dedication to complete,” states Alissa Mwenelupembe, Senior Director Early Learning Program Accreditation. “Ka Paʻalana has demonstrated their commitment to young children and their families.” 

What a marvelous testament to the staff and families that work to make the Ka Paʻalana Homeless Family Education Program so special. Congratulations to you all!! 

For more information about NAEYC Accreditation, visit the NAEYC website.