CDC East gets the gold Published March 4, 2010 By Capt. Alysia Harvey 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs ROYAL AIR FORCE, LAKENHEATH, England -- As Olympic athletes from around the world gathered in Vancouver, Canada, last month to give it their all in pursuit of top honors, personnel at RAF Lakenheath's Child Development Center East got the gold when they were awarded the highest scores and a national accreditation for their childcare program. CDC East was inspected by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the accrediting body for all Air Force child development programs, and earned 96 percent or better in all categories - the highest marks received to date by a childcare facility in United States Air Forces in Europe, according to the CDC East leadership. "The lowest percentage of criteria met by program standards was 97 percent in curriculum; the other nine program standards scored 100 percent," said Correna Pufkus, CDC East chief, whose role in the accreditation process was to ensure program readiness. "The lowest percentage of criteria met by classrooms being observed was 96 percent, and these scores, to date, are the highest in USAFE and simply validate the level of care provided on any given day." The NAEYC program standards include: · Promoting positive relationships that encourage a sense of self worth · Implementing a curriculum that fosters child development · Using effective teaching methods · Providing assessment of a child's growth and development · Employing a qualified staff from teachers to facility managers and leadership · Promoting health and nutrition and ensuring a safe environment · Establishing and maintaining good relationships with each child's family · Establishing relationships with and using community resources to support achievement of program goals. According to Ms. Pufkus, to achieve NAEYC Accreditation, a program must meet all required standards, achieving at least an 80 percent in each category, as well as 70 percent for each classroom or group observed. "Often the CDC staff has been referred to as babysitters, but this achievement validates that the staff provide a much higher level of service and education for young children," said Ms. Pufkus, adding the NAEYC trademark displayed in their facility, is a mark of quality for parents and an indicator the staff is to meeting the highest standards in early childhood care and education. Presently, CDC East educates 170 little ones between full-time and part-day programs. "Children are developing the foundation for who they are and what they will become within the first three years of their life, and it is exciting to be a part of and know the children in our care are receiving the tools, love, support and guidance to establish a strong foundation," said Ms. Pufkus. "With a bit of communication, patience and support we can get children - our future - off to the right start." Luci Tienda, an education and training technician at CDC East who has worked at CDCs on various military installations to which her husband has been assigned for the last eight years, agreed with Ms. Pufkus and said she finds her job very satisfying. "I love the interaction with the children," said Mrs. Tienda. "It's so amazing to watch them develop and learn new things and to know you've shaped them from infancy to preschool ... it's very rewarding." Even with such passion for their craft, both ladies said making it to the center of the winner's platform did not come easy and was a 100-percent team effort. "Everyone has to have a part, understand what the other is doing and be committed to making it the best," Ms. Pufkus said. "I always stress that the care I expect for my child is the care that every child deserves in this program. I honestly feel that we have a strong team of professionals who are not only committed to the children and families, but to each other." This proved especially true in July 2009 when an unexpected storm hit Lakenheath, flooding four of the facilities' classrooms and main lobby with more than 10 inches of water and nearly destroying most of the documentation required for the accreditation. According to Ms. Pufkus, although this happened during one of the most crucial times for the NAEYC process and an unannounced Air Force inspection, her team pulled together to overcome this hurdle. "The staff bonded together like super glue to ensure the health and safety of the children and one another, and everyone did their part to ensure continuity of care for the children while the steps were taken to bring the rooms back to quality standards," Ms. Pufkus said. Ms. Tienda seconded that notion, but said much of the accreditation and day-to-day successes at CDC East can be attributed to Ms. Pufkus' leadership. "It was an all around effort, and I am honored to have been a part of the process ... I cried when we received the news," she said. "Correna is a great leader and she encourages us every day. She empowers us and builds our confidence, and we could not have done this without her leadership and each other." The staff at CDC West recently began their accreditation process, and Ms. Pufkus' success has led to her recruitment as their coach as they prepare for their inspection later this year. They, too, have their sights set on gold. For related information on the programs offered or to enroll your child, call CDC East at 226-2702.