The Birmingham Early Learning Center, operated by Auburn University's Department of Human Development and Family Studies, has been accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The accreditation has been achieved by only 5 percent of early childhood development programs nationwide, according to Janice Grover, center director. Programs seeking accreditation undergo an intensive self-study, collecting information from parents, teachers, administrators and classroom observations. The information is independently reviewed by a team of national experts who grant or defer accreditation.
Accreditation is for a three-year period.
During the accreditation process, all aspects of the center are evaluated, including health and safety, staffing, staff qualifications, administration and physical environment. Established in 1995, the center is a national model child care facility located in Birmingham's historic Civil Rights District. It was developed and financed by 12 Alabama corporations. AU's Department of Human Development and Family Studies, which operates the center and whose director and assistant director are faculty members, is housed in AU's School of Human Sciences.