PUB TYPE Reports Descriptive (141) Speeches/Conference Papers (150)

The efforts of Queensland's parents, government officials, and early childhood professionals to raise the quality of child care by developing a voluntary process for accreditation of early childhood programs are described. The envisioned accreditation process would begin with collaborative self-study by child caregivers of the exz.ent to which their programs realized 10 program components. Each component would be defined by a goal, a brief rationale, and several crateria. Components defined were: (1) interactions among staff and children; (2) curriculum/program for children; (3) interaction, between staff and parents; (4) staff qunl-cications and development; (5) staffing patterns; (6) physical environment and setting; (7) health and safety factor..); /9) food and nutrition issues; (9) managemen, and administration; and (10) evaluation. The self-study was to be followed by validation and consideration for accreditation. It is argued that many community benefits accrue from a voluntary program accreditation system built on clear regulations. The self-study facilitates staff development, parent education, and accountability to the community, and raises awareress of young children's needs for appropriate programs. Over 90 references are cited. (RH) * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * x from the original document. A*******************************************,.*************************