The College of Education’s Child Study Center has been re-accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, extending its certification through January 2030.

The Child Study Center, which has been in operation since at least 1980, received its NAEYC accreditation in 2005, according to uca.edu. 

Serving around 60 children ages 3 and 5 each year, the center offers a curriculum tailored to the specific learning needs of each child. 

As a community-based program, the Child Study Center does not give enrollment preference to children of UCA employees or students.

“NAEYC requires both a classroom and program portfolio along with observations,” said Megan Fotioo, director of the Child Study Center. “In the school years leading up to the re-accreditation visit, we take pictures and collect evidence to show that we are meeting standards.”

She said the evidence is compiled into a portfolio.

“We were given a 15-day visit window, and on one of those days, the assessor came to our program and spent the day observing the teachers, checking out our facility, and looking through our portfolio,” she said. “We received the accreditation decision about four weeks later.”

Fotioo said the re-accreditation was significant for teachers and staff.

“This re-accreditation means that we can continue the tradition of excellence that has been the norm at the CSC for over 50 years,” she said. “We are the only NAEYC-accredited preschool in Faulkner County and one of only 15 in the state. We feel very honored to be here.”

Fotioo said this was her third year as director of the Child Study Center. 

“So this was my first time going through the accreditation process,” she said. “I had a lot to learn, but fortunately, we have a wonderful staff who were all instrumental throughout the process.”

She said, “One great thing about our program is that all of our full-time teachers are licensed teachers. We believe that children learn so much from their peers, and we love seeing them help one another and show empathy. We also work closely with therapists who come to our building to ensure the needs of all students are being met.”

Victoria Groves-Scott, dean of the College of Education, said the CSC impacts students, particularly those in the College of Education.

“The Child Study Center serves as a practice and placement site for several UCA programs. UCA students in programs for elementary education, psychology, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy and physical therapy do observations and internship hours in the Child Study Center,” she said. “The center is an excellent model of inclusive high-quality early childhood education that allows UCA students to see best practices first hand.”

Groves-Scott said she felt proud of the re-accreditation.

“I’m extremely proud of the Child Study Center programming and faculty,” she said. “This re-accreditation speaks to the caliber of the center and the services provided to children. It’s another hallmark of UCA excellence.”