4-Star Accreditation Award
The Sue Stevens 4-Star Contest recognizes
an accredited provider who has demonstrated passion for
family child care and for quality care through an essay
contest. This contest was created to honor Sue Stevens
from Louisville, Colorado who was in the first group of
providers to become accredited by NAFCC in 1988 and has
remained accredited for 21 years.
This year’s winner is Robyn
King from Antioch, California. Robyn was honored
at this year’s annual conference in Baltimore Maryland.
She received an award at the Accreditation Reception and
VIP seating with Sue Stevens at the conference
luncheon. This year Child Care Consulting and
Training Services, Inc – CATS –contributed $500 to help
offset travel and lodging expenses for Robyn.
Robyn King's 4-Star Essay
Of the many positive changes that have occurred from
becoming accredited, the most rewarding is a boost to my
self-esteem and purpose. In finding myself and
validating what I do on a daily basis for the children
that I serve I have learned to once again love myself and my decision to
care for other people’s children. For as long as
I can remember I have concentrated on the children that
I provide for and what is best for them. In doing so, I,
like so many other providers, have allowed what’s best
for me to become second, third and often non-existent.
Each
day I would plan lessons, meals, and activities to
empower and educate the children. In retrospect, I now
know that although I was doing a good job I was not
doing the best job I could. How could I if I was not
fully engaged and mentally able or prepared as a whole? I spent so much time concentrating on establishing
myself as a good educator and provider that I lost my
vision and some of my spirit. There were many reasons
for that loss. I knew that my chosen profession was not
always well respected and sometimes I allowed that to
influence how I felt about what I was doing. However,
accreditation changed all of that.
The accreditation
process reaffirmed my commitment and strengths, not only
as a provider, but as a person as well. The process
required so much of me and my staff that I knew this is
what I needed to boost myself BACK to where I once was. For many years, I had wanted to own and operate a private preschool. Once I became involved and accepted
the challenge of improving my program through
accreditation I was instantly excited about the prospect
of how this would enhance the children’s
environment. I looked forward to the challenges, changes
and [unknowingly at the time] the work and learning that
would be required to show such improvement.
I met a
group of women that were just like me! We shared
stories, experiences, problems, and concerns and
networked to encourage one another. What a delight to no
longer feel alone! This group of women lent themselves
in an unselfish manner that made me want to stay a part
of this newfound circle. I learned that I also brought a
wealth of knowledge and information to the group as
well. This experience was so rewarding on many levels.
Upon completion of the many stages and my official
observation visit I felt a sense of calm and completion
that rejuvenated my soul. When I learned I had indeed
met the requirements to become accredited by NAFCC I was
boosted even further. There was no stopping me now! I
knew that I was the best, which correlated to me
bringing the best back into my program which would
benefit my children as well. I was rejuvenated with a
new sense of purpose and direction. Although I have
elected to concentrate on how accreditation affected me
personally it also boosted my program in the same way.
Once I was made to feel whole as a person again, I was
able to extend that feeling of purpose, hope,
encouragement and awe to my children. Our lesson plans,
activities, field trips, meals, and everything else that
encompasses our days are filled with a new sense of
wonder. We all are excited about learning
and experiencing through the eyes of each other and
respect each other’s views, ideas, and
questions, which in turn inspires our
learning and lessons.
Because of my accreditation
journey, my program received an overhaul both internally
and externally that is reflected in the many happy
spirits and smiling faces that I see daily. My children
share in this rebirth and reap the many benefits that
accreditation has brought us. I thank you for the
opportunity and experience that helped me once again
find myself while validating my life time commitment to
improving the health, welfare, and lives of children. I
would do it again in a heartbeat!
Sincerely,
Robyn King
