UNLV's preschool recently received accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children -- making it the only preschool in the state to be accredited by the organization.

In fact, only approximately 5 percent of the early childhood programs nationwide have been accredited by NAEYC, the country's oldest and largest organization of early childhood professionals.

"I think our receiving the accreditation is important because it tells families that we run a safe, quality program for their children," said Catherine Lyons, director of UNLV's preschool.

Programs seeking accreditation undergo an intensive self-study, collecting information from parents, teachers, administrators, and classroom observations. They receive an on-site visit, conducted by early childhood professionals specially trained by NAEYC, to validate their selfstudy results. All of this information is independently reviewed by a team of national experts who grant or defer accreditation. Accreditation lasts for three years. This is the second time UNLV has been accredited by NAEYC. This most recent accreditation will last until June 30, 2000.

"The heart of NAEYC accreditation focuses on the child's experience," said Barbara Willer, spokesperson for NAEYC. "The process carefully considers all aspects of program provision -including health and safety, staffing, staff qualifications, administration, and physical environment. But the greatest emphasis is on children's relationships with the staff and how the program helps each child grow and learn -- intellectually, physically, socially, and emotionally."

The preschool, which is operated by UNLV's College of Education and by the university's student government, the Consolidated Students of the University of Nevada (CSUN), is located on the university campus and serves 170 children ranging in age from 2.5 to 6 years.