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Apple Tree Nursery Renews National Accreditation |
| By
Deanna Lytle |
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Nov 7, 2003 |
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| Dean Sanders, 4, rides around during outdoor playtime at Apple Tree Nursery School. |
Apple Tree Nursery School Inc. on The University of Toledo’s Bancroft campus has earned re-accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The organization is the largest and most influential of its kind, dedicated to improving the quality of programs for young children.
The nursery school was last accredited in 1999, according to Lisa Poggi, director of the center. “We’re proud to be accredited,” she said. “NAEYC accreditation lets families in our community know that children in our program are getting the best care and early learning experiences.”
The accreditation process usually takes nine to 12 months and begins when program personnel and parents conduct a self-study of the school to determine if it “demonstrates substantial compliance with the criteria,” according to the NAEYC Web site. Some of the conditions schools must meet include:
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| Cady Semple, 5, eats a treat at Apple Tree Nursery School. |
• Teachers who are available and responsive to students, treating them with respect and supporting their development.
• A curriculum that includes developmentally appropriate materials and equipment and incorporates routine tasks.
• The presence of indoor and outdoor play space, with a variety of activities available.
• Frequent positive, warm interactions among adults and children.
• Meals that meet nutritional guidelines and are opportunities for pleasant, social learning experiences for children.
• An annual program evaluation that includes input from staff, administrators, families and children.
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| Sammy Pacholski, left, and Caleb Pacholski, 18 months, venture outside for some fresh air. |
Validators then inspect the site to verify the accuracy of the self-study, and three people on a NAEYC committee make the final accreditation decision. Under a new policy, accreditation lasts for a five-year term.
Since the last accreditation, officials at Apple Tree Nursery School, which provides care for children of UT faculty, staff and students, have made some program changes. They have opened enrollment to kindergarten students, who make up some of the 138 children at the school. The enrollment of special needs students has increased since implementing the Inclusive Summer Practicum Program in 2000. “We have found that the word has spread quickly,” Poggi said. She believes that this contributes to Apple Tree Nursery School’s reputation as a “model program” in the Toledo area.
But just because the school was accredited doesn’t mean that there is no room for improvement. Poggi said school administrators are working on establishing some College of Education faculty offices in the building. She also described plans for renovations to the building. “We’re building a kitchen so that we can cook on-site. This also means that we’ll be able to use real tableware, as we can wash the dishes in the kitchen.” She said a kitchen was never added to the building because the Scott Park Apple Tree Nursery School was used for cooking. But since the Scott Park location closed in 1999, the school’s cook has been forced to prepare food in the Scott Park cafeteria. A company then brings it to the school on the Bancroft campus. Poggi believes the on-site kitchen will greatly improve the center.
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