Our Mission
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV)/Consolidated Students University of Nevada (CSUN) Preschool is housed in the Lynn Bennett Early Childhood Education Center on the UNLV Campus. The mission of the UNLV/CSUN Preschool is to provide a model inclusive early childhood program that serves children (six weeks to five years of age) of students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding campus community. As the field of early childhood care and education evolves to meet the growing needs of today’s young children and their families, our preschool will continue to play a leadership role in teaching, training, and research at UNLV.
The UNLV/CSUN Preschool recognizes the diverse needs ability, interests, and cultures in a setting where each child is valued and respected as a unique individual developing at his/her own rate. We believe that each child's development is guided by a cooperative team of professionals through observation, interaction, and well-planned learning activities.
Age-appropriate Curriculum
Through the promotion of a curriculum that provides age-appropriate and individually appropriate activities, equipment and materials, children have many opportunities to be actively engaged in the learning process. The curriculum promotes the development of the whole child - physically, socially, emotionally, and intellectually through a balanced daily schedule of individual, small group, and activity-based learning experiences.
We recognize the importance of working closely with families and acknowledge family involvement as an essential and vital component of the total learning process. Families are encouraged to participate in all activities within the program.
Interagency Agreement
The preschool has an interagency agreement with Clark County School District's Early Childhood Special Education Department and a Memorandum of Understanding with Nevada Early Intervention Services.
Accreditation
You have chosen an early childhood program for your child that has been accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) since 1994. NAEYC administers the largest and most widely recognized national, voluntary, professionally sponsored accreditation system for all types of early childhood schools and child care centers. NAEYC is the nation's largest organization of early childhood educators.
About NAEYC Accreditation
Early childhood programs accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs (NAEYC's accreditation department) have voluntarily undergone a comprehensive process of internal self-study, invited external professional review to verify compliance with the Criteria for High-Quality Early Childhood Programs, and been found to be in substantial compliance with the criteria. A copy of these criteria can be obtained from the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs.
High-Quality Early Childhood Program
A high-quality early childhood program provides a safe and nurturing environment while promoting the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development of young children. In accredited programs, you will see:
- Frequent, positive, warm interactions among adults and children
- Planned learning activities appropriate to children's age and development, such as block building, art, library time, dramatic play, and active outdoor play
- Specially trained teachers
- Enough adults to respond to individual children
- Many varied age-appropriate materials
- A healthy and safe environment for children
- Nutritious meals and/or snacks
- Regular communication with parents, who are welcome visitors at all times
- Effective administration
- Ongoing, systematic evaluation
NAEYC Accreditation
1509 16th Street, NW
Washington DC 20036-1426
800-424-2460, ext. 333
or visit the NAEYC accreditation webpage.
Accreditation is valid until the date indicated on the accreditation certificate (located in the preschool office). Written complaints about accredited programs should be sent to the accreditation department of NAEYC at the above address.
NAEYC and the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs are not affiliated with and are not responsible for the administration, acts, personnel, property, or practices of accredited programs, however if you have concerns about these issues please contact NAEYC in writing at the above address.