LCSC | Media Relations & Publications

News & Events

Publications

Media Relations

Logo & Image Use

Calendar & Events

Resources

Advertising

Visitor's Center

E-mail us

Date: Nov. 28, 2000
Who/What: Lewis-Clark State College KinderCollege Developmental Learning Center Accreditation from National Association for the Education of Young Children
When: November, 2000
Where: Lewis-Clark State College
Contact: Lori Gaskill, 208/799-2269, KinderCollege Developmental Learning Center, 799-2254

LCSC KinderCollege Receives National Accreditation

The Lewis-Clark State KinderCollege Developmental Learning Center has received national accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). NAEYC administers the largest and most widely-recognized national, voluntary, professionally sponsored accreditation system for early childhood schools and childcare centers. It is the nation’s largest organization of early childhood educators and has set leadership standards in the field of childcare and early education for more than 70 years.

During the past two years, LCSC’s KinderCollege underwent a comprehensive process of internal self-study. Following this, the center invited external professional review from NAEYC. A site visit was conducted in September, to determine whether the center complied with NAEYC’s published Criteria for High-Quality Early Childhood Programs. The resulting report was evaluated by the national organization in October. The KinderCollege Developmental Learning Center was judged to have met all the standards and received notification of its accreditation earlier this month.

To be accredited, a program must provide a safe and nurturing environment while promoting the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development of young children. NAEYC examined the KinderCollege program as a whole, but emphasized the quality of interactions between teachers and children, as well as the developmental appropriateness of the curriculum—what really happens to the children. Health and safety, staffing levels and qualifications, physical environment and administration were all reviewed during the accreditation process, but primary consideration was given to the nature of a child’s experience.

The achievement is the culmination of extraordinary efforts from the LC KinderCollege staff, led by Program Manager, Aimee Roberts and Head Teachers Sarah Wimer and Amy Carey. For information about the program, or tours of the facility, call 799-2254.