So, I was in the library and two women started talking near me. And yes, I listened because, you know, I was there first, searching through picture books as I am wont to do, and they just met up and started chatting. And it’s a library, so voices carry, especially when the distance is about two feet.

Anyway, they looked to be in their late 50’s, early 60’s and both, apparently pre-K teachers. What I eventually discerned is that they worked in day care centers with pre-K rooms. The topic of conversation was the state’s (I guess) pre-K accreditation. One had just gone through it, the other was dreading it.

Look. I am for the highest quality care for children, but you know, when you get bureaucracies involved.

First, they talked about the cost of it. 6,000 to send in the paperwork per room. So, if you have a 3-year old room and a 4-year old room, there’s 12,000 bucks right there.

The woman who’d been through it gave some tips. "Be sure you know the birthdates of the youngest and oldest in your room. They’ll ask. You have to know it." "Always, always wash your hands. Come in the room, and the first thing, wash your hands." (can’t argue with that). "Put up a bulletin board that’s got all the children’s photos on it that says something like ‘Our school family.’ They like that."

But here’s what got me, and this is the part where I was so, so tempted to join in and just ask, "WHAT?" In hindsight, I should have. They wouldn’t have minded, and it would have been enlightening.

They commiserated on the fact that state standards don’t allow them to tell the children to walk in lines. I have no idea why and I have no idea what the alternative is.

They also shook their heads that they’re not allowed to simply say "No" or "don’t" to a child. "You have to give them a choice," one said to the other, who nodded. And then they both sighed.

I am trying to think what the "choice" might be. Probably along the lines of, "Would you like to stop painting Mark’s head or would you like to go to time out?" You think?

I have long believed that one of the many elements in the general decline of the Catholic school system was the rush to accreditation, and I’ve served on accreditation teams. I know. Especially in high schools, it is hard, if not impossible to operate without it. It’s complex. But the burdens the process places – burdens that have nothing, for the most part, to do with sound pedagogy, in my mind have been costly.

Or not. Your choice! Please proceed to the door…however you want to. If you want to. Your choice! Again!