UH Child Care Center received accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement this summer.
‘Staff Council is pretty amazed that we have the same accreditation the University does, so it is something that is recognized,’ said Jennifer Skopal, a parent and the assistant director of the UHCCC.
The SACS accreditation is the second recognition the UHCCC has received. In 2004, it received the National Association for the Education of Young Children accreditation, which focuses on early childhood education.
To receive the SACS accreditation, the center underwent a four-step process.
Step one was a preliminary visit, in which UHCCC received a screening and a recommendation from SACS. A submission of the application and an in-depth self study of the program occurred afterward.
SACS visited again for validation. The group met with teachers, parents, managers and advisory boards. After the application was reviewed by the AdvancED Accreditation Commission.
UHCCC was proud and excited for the school, families and University when it received the news, Howard said.
‘Accreditation demonstrates to our children, parents and UH community that we are focused on raising student achievement, providing a safe and enriching learning environment, and maintaining an efficient and effective operation staffed by highly qualified educators,’ Keith T. Kowalka, executive director of the University Center and Associated Facilities, said in a news release issued by the UHCCC.
UHCCC opened in 1975 and provides comprehensive early childhood curriculum. The goal is to build a foundation prior to school entry.
‘I’m really proud that my child got to attend a program that is SACS accredited,’ Cece Hernandez, a parent, said. ‘It shows that the school is excellent and strives to be the best in offering appropriate curriculum for the children and making sure that they’ve laid the foundation for what they’ll need when they go off to elementary. ‘
UHCCC belongs to the Texas Early Education Model, which follows children through kindergarten, and has been certified in that model for two years.
Parents believe that children who go through the program are well prepared for kindergarten, Howard said.
‘I know that the teachers and programs are wonderful,’ Jennifer Aiyer, a parent, said.
‘Having that extra accreditation reinforces what I already knew ‘hellip; that we have an excellent center and that they are taking care of the whole child in terms of social, academic and all of the care needs.’
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