USU Blanding Jr. Aggies Academy Earns National Accreditation

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 and the local community, is now a nationally accredited center.

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) officially awarded the Jr. Aggie Academy with accreditation in January. Accreditation from the NAEYC has long been the standard for high-quality early learning programs. This accreditation is the second tier of the NAEYC quality assessment system. The academy received official NAEYC recognition in September.

“Accreditation is something that our center has been working toward for several years now,” said Ciara Walker, director of the Jr. Aggies Academy. “We've taken progressive steps each year and finally were at a point where we felt we could succeed in applying for and being awarded accredited status. This is the biggest accomplishment of our careers, and we look forward to the opportunity to continue our commitment to quality.”

Walker and her assistant director, Kalvina Hanley, have adjusted center policies and operations in order to reach the NAEYC standards. The center has deepened its focus on the learning and development of its students, which has included a new curriculum and better recording practices.

The NAEYC accreditation involves the center showing evidence and competency in the NAEYC’s nine early learning program standards. With this accreditation, the Jr. Aggies Academy is now viewed as one of the best centers in the state.

“There are approximately 505 licensed centers in Utah, and 32 of these have received NAEYC accreditation status,” said Lisa Boyce, professor of Human Development and Family Studies and executive director of the DDE Center for Early Care and Education. “This means the center is among the top 6% of centers in Utah.”

To maintain accreditation, the academy will need to continue to record evidence of annual requirements and provide additional evidence that high-quality practices and policies are in place and being followed.

“A large part of this is staff professional development and using research-based curriculum at all age levels,” Walker said. “It shows that our program prioritizes high-quality learning experiences and continuous improvement.”

Walker also believes that this national accreditation helps families recognize that the program is a high-quality center that is devoted to early childhood learning, education, development and safety.

“It helps families and communities feel comfortable knowing that their children are receiving quality care and education that will prepare them for being successful now and later in life,” she said.

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.

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.