CSWDO to accredit CDLC using the new standard tool
The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO)-Day Care Division is currently training in preparation for the upcoming accreditation of all private and public Child Development Learning Centers (CDLC) in the city using the new standard tool.
According to Lenelaine Castillo, the Day Care Division focal person, they are learning how to use the new tool, which is based on the standard and guidelines for the center-based Early Childhood Program for 0-4 year old Filipino children. “We are comparing the new form to the old form to ensure proper accreditation as one of the requirements before a Child Development Learning Center (CDLC) can acquire a licensed to operate,” Castillo explained.
During the accreditation process, the CSWDO will look into the following areas: Health, Nutrition and Safety; Physical Environment and Safety; Interaction and Relationship Between Staff and Children, Among Children and Other Adults; Staff Qualification, Staff Development and Continuing Education; Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment; Family Involvement and Community Linkage and Leadership, Program Management and Support. The tool includes written general statements of action, behaviors, characteristics, and conditions agreed upon by stakeholders and used to judge or measure others, as well as guidelines that will determine the CDLC’s sound practices.
On November 4, 2013, the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 10410, the Early Years Act of 2013, were signed. RA 10410, enacted on March 26, 2013, requires government agencies to provide holistic care and accessible services such as early education, health and sanitation, nutrition, child protection, and social services for children ages 0 to 8 in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, the Early Childhood Care and Development Council issued Resolution No. 15-02 approving the Early Learning Curriculum (NELC) and the Learning Resource Package for Pre-Kindergarten (0-4 years old) in order to ensure the total development of children.
As part of the CSWDO’s mandate to monitor the progress of Child Development Learning Centers in the City of Koronadal despite the limitations brought by the pandemic, the office hopes that each center will be able to comply with the new accreditation standard, which is being conducted every three years for level one recognized CDLC, four years for level two recognized CDLC, and five years for level three recognized CDLC.