"We're very pleased," said children's center Director Debbie Kekacs. "We're making a statement, joining the politicians, in saying the children need quality programs."

The children's center currently enrolls 42 children.

The National Association for the Education of Young Children is a national organization that focuses on quality education for childcare programs, before-and after-school preschools and kindergartens. Accreditation is a voluntary process and is granted based on teacher qualifications, curriculum and health and safety. The association has granted accreditation to more than 10,000 programs
nationwide, about 490 of which are in Connecticut.