Prestigious accreditation places Center for Child Development among the best in the nation
Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015
MANHATTAN — The nation's leading organization of early childhood professionals has once again recognized Kansas State University's Center for Child Development with its prestigious accreditation.
The center recently received notice of reaccreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children, or NAEYC. Only 3 percent of all preschools and early childhood programs nationwide receive the accreditation. The Center for Child Development is one of the 39 child care centers — including Kansas State University's Hoeflin Stone House Early Childhood Education Center — in the state of Kansas to receive the accreditation.
The accreditation, which lasts for five years, is evidence of the center's high-quality programs that incorporate the latest research and best practices, said Rosie Mitchell, center director.
"This reaccreditation is an assurance that our center is achieving high-quality child care in all aspects of a child's development," Mitchell said. "We strive to provide engaging classrooms and experiences that help children learn about the world around them."
The center provides early childhood care and education programs for children of Kansas State University students, faculty, staff and community families. It is a full-service early care and education center for more than 230 children ages infant through school age.
"Our center is that missing piece for our students who are also parents," Mitchell said. "While the parents are furthering their own education, we provide a high-quality educational experience for their children. We also serve the faculty, staff and members of our community."
For the reaccreditation, the Center for Child Development went through a rigorous self-study that involved measuring the program and its services against 10 early childhood program standards and more than 400 related accreditation criteria set by the national association. Assessors also visited the center for two days of observations to ensure that it met standards.
The Child Development Center is the largest child development center in the city of Manhattan. Mitchell credited the Student Governing Association as well as Pat Bosco, vice president of student life and dean of students, and the Office of Student Life for their support of the center and its mission to serve the university.
