In addition, the Children's Center has been accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs consistently since 1987. Accreditation represents the consensus of early childhood professionals regarding the definition of a high quality group program for young children.
In 1996, the Children's Center received national recognition with the Sarah Brown Hill Award from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education for Excellence in Early Childhood Education.
CHURCH AFFILIATION: The University Presbyterian Center is an outreach of University Presbyterian Church to provide a quality early childhood program for children in the community. The atmosphere of the school is intended to communicate God's love----spiritual growth is enhanced through themes emphasizing caring for and acceptance of others, by prayers at snack time and lunch, the observation of some Christian celebrations, and bi-monthly Spiritual Enrichment with the pastor of University Presbyterian Church. During Spiritual Enrichment, the pastor will join the upstairs classes during their music times twice a month and periodically throughout the year for the downstairs classes. This time will include singing, the sharing of celebrations and joys, a faith related story drawn from the Judeo-Christian resources of the Bible emphasizing God's love, and a brief prayer of thanksgiving. The goal of the spiritual enrichment program is to be developmentally appropriate for young children and assist the Children's Center staff in providing for the whole child -- body, mind and spirit.
