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STC child development center merits prestigious national accreditation

Thursday, March 4th, 2010


National accreditation body, along with parents and children, give STC's Mid-Valley Campus Child Development Center a thumbs up as its earns standing as the only nationally-accredited child care facility in the Rio Grande Valley. The center works to expand its college-going culture to include even its littlest graduates.

 Texas Border Business

In just its third year of operation, South Texas College’s Mid-Valley Campus Child Development Center has earned accreditation from the National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs (NAC). STC’s center is the only child care facility in the Rio Grande Valley to have earned this prestigious accreditation.

“The center management and staff worked very hard to meet the rigorous guidelines set forth by NAC and are now reaping the fruits of their hard work,” said Veronica Rodriguez, chair of STC’s Child Development Department, who oversees operations of the center. “Not only is the center a great place for children to grow and learn, but also serves as a tremendous resource for students enrolled in our degree programs. The experiences they have come away with are helping them develop into experts in early care and development.”

The accreditation process included a self-study in which college administrators and staff, as well as parents, evaluated the program in accordance with NAC standards. After the self study process was complete, an onsite observation took place at the center by an early childhood professional. National commissioners assessed the information provided by STC’s center and the onsite observer to determine worthiness for earning the accreditation. Only 47 other child care and day care facilities in Texas have earned the accreditation.

“The accreditation demonstrates the seriousness of our commitment in caring for young children and allowing their parents to continue their education, as well as training students to offer the best childcare possible so that our Valley children can excel,” added Rodriguez. “To earn the merit, our center exceeded state licensing requirements in many important areas, including health, safety, curriculum, student/teacher interaction and parental involvement. Our community should take pride in having such a great facility in its midst.”

Currently, enrollment in the center is open to children of STC students first, followed by STC faculty and staff, and then the community. There are 60 children currently thriving at the center, ranging in age from 18 months to 5 years of age. Plans to expand the center include two additional toddler classrooms beginning in the fall 2010 semester.  

For more information about STC’s Child Development Program or Mid-Valley Campus Child Development Center contact Rodriguez at 956-872-7265 or vrodrig2@southtexascollege.edu. For more information about the NAC program visit www.naccp.org. 

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