Spring 2021

Once again, the MPSI Early Childhood Center has earned a five-year accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). This accreditation is considered by many to be the most rigorous and comprehensive for preschools. Our center had to satisfy nearly 500 different criteria, covering curriculum, families, health, leadership, the physical environment and more. The ECC met 100% of the criteria in 9 of the 10 areas assessed. And the Center accomplished this amidst the unpredictable circumstances of pandemic restrictions.

ECC Director Jamie Karagatsoulis reflects on the process:

"Preparing for an accreditation visit and dealing with the ever changing situation due to COVID was an experience like no other. This accreditation visit was my third with the Center. Having gone through this process during normal operations versus the stark changes of the COVID classroom led me to many sleepless nights. We kept thinking about what the assessor would look for during her classroom observation and how we could show her our high quality program despite social distancing and constant cleaning.

"On the day of the visit everything went off wonderfully. Our children arrived smiling through their masks. Our teachers were nervous, but also excited to show off all their hard work. Most importantly, we all felt ready. Our site visit took place in November, right before we were forced to go virtual again due to the increase in COVID cases and the state-wide pause.

"We received our accreditation decision as a New Year's present, one that offered the promise that perhaps with 2020 behind us we could finally look with hopeful eyes to new beginnings and a return to the way things once had been."

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Cheryl Deep manages media relations and publications for the Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute. To interview faculty, pursue a news tip or learn more about what we do, contact her at (313) 664-2607 or cheryldeep@wayne.edu.