Helen R. Walton Children’s Enrichment Center Achieves NAEYC Accreditation+, a Historic Milestone for Early Childhood Education in Northwest Arkansas
September 4, 2025
Bentonville, AR – The Helen R. Walton Children’s Enrichment Center (HWCEC) proudly announces that it has officially earned Accreditation+ through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the nation’s leading organization for early childhood education. This recognition represents the gold standard of quality in early learning and underscores HWCEC’s decades-long commitment to providing children with the very best start in life.
Accreditation+ is the highest designation awarded by NAEYC, recognizing early learning programs that not only meet national standards for excellence but also demonstrate their commitment to high-quality care and education through verified on-site practices and participation in enhanced quality assurance protocols.
To earn Accreditation+, HWCEC underwent a rigorous, evidence-based review followed by a site visit by NAEYC Assessors, confirming the implementation of best practices. Programs at this level also agree to ongoing accountability measures, including random site visits, to ensure sustained excellence. This distinction places HWCEC among a select group of early learning programs across the country recognized for both foundational excellence and operational integrity in delivering developmentally appropriate, high-impact learning experiences.
NAEYC accreditation is one of the most rigorous achievements in early education. The multi-year process requires comprehensive evaluation across ten standards of excellence, including curriculum, teaching practices, family engagement, community partnerships, health and safety, and leadership. Fewer than 10% of early childhood programs nationwide have earned this distinction.
HWCEC achieved an extraordinary 94% on its NAEYC assessment, likely placing the center among the top performers nationally. This result reflects the dedication, expertise, and heart of the HWCEC team.
“This is a transformational milestone for our center, our families, and our community,” said Anna Cannon, Executive Director of HWCEC. “NAEYC accreditation affirms what we’ve known all along—that our educators and staff deliver an unparalleled level of care and learning. It is also a promise to the families we serve that we will continue to grow, improve, and hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards in the field.”
The accreditation journey began years ago under the leadership of Michelle Barnes, HWCEC’s longtime Executive Director who retired in 2024.
“NAEYC accreditation is not just a recognition of Helen R. Walton Children's Enrichment Center’s work—it’s a promise to every child and family we serve,” Barnes reflected. “I am deeply proud of the team for putting children at the center of everything and reaching this remarkable milestone.”
The milestone was made possible by the tireless work of the entire HWCEC team—educators, staff, administrators, and families—who collaborated, adapted, and never lost sight of the mission.
Board President Kristin Daniel emphasized the importance of the achievement:
“This accreditation is a testament to the extraordinary people who make HWCEC what it is. Our staff went above and beyond through a multi-year process that demanded excellence in every area. On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are humbled and grateful to see this dream realized. The children and families of Northwest Arkansas are the true beneficiaries of this work.”
Serving children ages six weeks to pre-kindergarten, HWCEC is now among an elite group of centers nationwide that have earned NAEYC accreditation. This achievement ensures that HWCEC remains a beacon of innovation, research-based practice, and nurturing care for generations of families to come.
For more information about HWCEC and its programs, visit www.hwcec.org