The National Academy of Early Childhood Programs recently awarded national accreditation to the UNLV/CSUN Preschool located on the UNLV campus.

The preschool, which is housed in the College of Education, is only the fifth preschool in Nevada to receive the national accreditation, said Terry Kohlmeier, director of the preschool.

Marilyn Smith, executive director of the national organization that sponsors the accrediting academy, said, "Accreditation helps answer the question, 'What is a quality preschool/childcare program?' Most parents want to find the highest quality program for their young children; however, few parents know how to assess whether a program meets more than just the minimum standards required by state licensing."

The academy's accrediting standards were developed over a three-year period with input from thousands of educators and administrators from across the country.

The UNLV/CSUN Preschool serves 135 children ranging in age from 2 1/2 to 6 years. A full 83 percent of the youngsters are the children of UNLV students, Kohlmeier said. The other youngsters are the children of members of the public, as well as of UNLV faculty and staff.