The Communique

Issue date: 9/15/05 Section: News

Media Credit: Beth Bloomfield Instruction given at the Kirkwood Kids center.

Kirkwood's motto, "Learning for Your Lifetime" applies not only to its students but to their children as well.

The National Association for the Education of Young Children awarded the Kirkwood Child Care Center its top level of accreditation in late August.

The award came on the heels of an intense review and Kirkwood's child care facility is the only one among Iowa community colleges to receive the honor.

The review included surveys given to staff and parents and an assessment of strengths and weaknesses, said Johnna Haggerty, Kirkwood Kids center director.

Haggerty, who became center director after the review was completed, praised the work of her staff. "When I first came to the center [at] the end of May, I asked the staff to always consider, 'What is in the best interest of the child'?" Haggerty said.

Kathleen Van Steenhuyse, Kirkwood social science and career option dean, referred to the NAEYC accreditation as the "gold standard" among child care circles.

"We are extremely pleased to receive this top-level accreditation," Van Steenhuyse said in a Kirkwood press release. "We see it as a strong endorsement for our staff and the many parents and students who assist in this great effort."

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