In only its second year of operation, UD’s Early Learning Center (ELC) has received national accreditation and an award from Delaware’s governor.

“Accreditation is a public commitment to provide care that goes far beyond licensing requirements,” Karen Rucker, ELC director, says of the accreditation awarded by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). “It demonstrates our dedication to providing the children and families in our care with a program that values interactions, relationships and collaborations, while providing a sound educational experience for the children.”

There are more than 10,000 NAEYC-accredited programs serving nearly 1 million children and families nationwide. UD’s Laboratory Preschool also is accredited by NAEYC.

NAEYC criteria address all aspects of an early childhood education program, including teacher education and qualifications, child-to-teacher ratios, curriculum and health and safety. Accreditation begins with an extensive self-study to determine how well the facility meets these criteria. Early childhood programs that demonstrate substantial compliance with the NAEYC standards are accredited for a five-year period.

In September, the ELC received second place in the Delaware Governor’s Award for Excellence in Early Care and Education. The 8-year-old program honors exceptional early care providers for positively reinforcing the lives of children in their care.

“To achieve this public recognition after only two years of operation is a demonstration of how genuinely committed our amazing teachers and classroom assistants are to providing quality services for children and their families,” Rucker says. “I feel fortunate to work with them every day.”