The National Association for the Education of Young Children has awarded accreditation to the John W. Decas Elementary School’s kindergarten program.

Accreditation of the school ensures continued federal funding for Wareham Public Schools’ kindergarten program as a whole. Minot Forest Elementary and the East Wareham Early Childhood Center are also accredited by the Association.

“This is a really big win for our kindergarten teachers,” said Decas Elementary Principal Christine Panarese.

The School Department began offering free-of-charge, full-day kindergarten for all Wareham students in 2012. Federal support of the program made it cost-neutral for both the School Department and taxpayers.

The accreditation of each of the district’s schools offering early education provides extra assurance that the grant funding supporting the kindergarten program will be maintained.

“This achievement is a testament to the outstanding work happening in our schools,” said Wareham Public Schools Superintendent Kimberly Shaver-Hood. “Thank you to the Decas Elementary faculty for your hard work, and a special thank you to Assistant Principal Nancy Ames, who was instrumental in guiding the school through this process.”

The attributes considered by the Association during the accreditation process are: the relationship between children and adults; curriculum; teaching; assessment of child progress; whether the program promotes the health and safety of children; teachers; relationships with families; community relationships; the physical environment; leadership and management.

For more information about theNational Association for the Education of Young Children, visit www.naeyc.org. To learn about events at Wareham schools, visit www.warehamps.org.