USU Blanding Child Care Receives National Recognition

BLANDING, Utah — The Jr. Aggies Academy, an early care and education program for the children of faculty, staff and students who attend Utah State University Blanding, has received national recognition.

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) officially recognized the child care center for its commitment to quality and continuous improvement within their early childhood program serving children ranging from infant to preschool. The recognition was awarded in July.

“This accomplishment means so much to me and my staff, and we hope to continue with the process to gain national accreditation,” said Ciara Walker, director of the Jr. Aggies Academy. “These ratings show that our center meets high-quality standards in the care and education of the young children who we serve. These extra standards are expected to be followed in daily care, curriculum, health and safety, teacher and staff qualifications, and training. Families can be assured that Jr. Aggies Academy is a place of quality and that we provide the utmost care and developmental support for their children."

Programs who achieve NAEYC recognition provide evidence of successfully meeting the following standards: applied knowledge of child development and learning, work with families and communities, use of assessment and documentation, the practice of teaching and learning, content area knowledge, becoming an early childhood professional, and providing field experiences in a variety of settings with a variety of age groups. The report that is filed is reviewed by a team of NAEYC peer reviewers and auditors.

“The Jr. Aggies early care and education program are very deserving of this recognition,” said Lisa Boyce, professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies. “They have worked to train their staff to implement evidence-based curricula and developmentally appropriate practices in each of their classrooms. In addition to providing optimal care for the children attending their program, they also integrate educational opportunities through play throughout the day. Their commitment to high quality services benefits the children attending the program and provides training opportunities for USU students.”

The Jr. Aggies Academy has three different classrooms, ranging from children as young as 6 weeks old, to preschool aged children. All classrooms utilize curriculum tools according to developmentally appropriate practice. The director and lead preschool teacher both have advanced degrees in Early Childhood Education.

"As both a parent and staff member who uses Jr. Aggies, I’ve seen firsthand the incredible impact this center has on children’s learning and growth. Their confidence, communication, and ability to connect with others have truly blossomed — kudos to the amazing staff, who set the standard for excellence in care and education; I am so proud of them, every day,” stated Priscilla Arungwa, director of student services.

For more information on the Jr. Aggies Academy, visit statewide.usu.edu/blanding/daycare. For more information on the NAEYC, visit naeyc.org.

Offering residential campus housing and dining, Utah State University Blanding gives students the personalized attention and small class sizes of a small-town college with the resources of a large university, all while providing award-winning education. With degree options ranging from associate to doctorate degrees, plus technical education offerings in Business, Technical Trades and Health Professions, USU Blanding offers programs that help fuel local economies and empower individuals and their communities. Learn more at blanding.usu.edu.