by Cassady Thompson
The University of West Georgia’s pre-kindergarten program isn’t your average child care center. It is a unique early education opportunity
that combines faculty, student and community life.
The pre-K program, accredited by Bright from the Start and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), found its home
within UWG’s College of Education (COE) approximately 20 years ago, where it began with only two classes and a big
vision. Today it consists of four classes and educates 70 children, with a maximum
of 86 students.
The grant-funded program is free of cost in terms of tuition and child care fees.
The only financial support requested from families is a voluntary snack and field
trip contribution.
One additional aspect that sets the program apart from other child care centers is
that it is the only NAEYC-accredited pre-K in Carrollton, explained director Mary
Reid.
“We have very stringent requirements for teachers, family relationships and community
involvement,” she said. “It is an elite and hard-to-acquire accreditation, and we
have just recently received notice of our five-year renewal.”
As part of this highly coveted accreditation, two classes were observed. Both classes
passed in the 98th percentile, and passed the families and community relationships
segment with a 100 percent rate.
COE Support
As the program is located in COE, administrators find support through the college
in many ways.
“Last year with year-end money from COE, we were able to purchase interactive SMART
boards as they donated about $10,000,” Reid said. “In addition, we were able to get
new playground equipment.”
In terms of personnel support, COE plays a large role. For example, student teachers
from the early childhood education department work in the building two days a week
for a full semester, providing the program with hands-on experiences in a classroom.
Students also are able to log observation hours in classroom.
Campus Experiences
In addition to the COE, other UWG programs lend their support and provide the center
with additional experience.
“Recently, the physical education department implemented a fitness program with all our students,” Reid said. “We also have music
education students share their musical talents with us. The eco-leaders on campus,
which is part of the sustainability program, also planted some grass with the kids
in the community garden on campus.”
Last August, the classes made their way over to the observatory, grabbed their glasses
and watched the solar eclipse in awe. Soon to come, the group will work with the anthropology department and complete a dig for various kid-friendly items. They will learn how to uncover
artifacts and keep their findings.
The students go on typical field trips to the pumpkin patch and the aquarium, but
as described by Reid, the on campus activities are more unique experiences that most
pre-K programs do not have the opportunity to participate in.
Building a Community
The teachers, students and families feel very privileged to be a part of a Bright
from the Start pre-K. To give back, they engage in various community outreach projects
during the year.
“On the 100th day of school, all the children bring canned goods and each class strives
to donate 100 cans to our local soup kitchen,” Reid said proudly. “This year we donated
more than 400 cans to the soup kitchen. In March, we celebrated World Water Day, in
which we collected water and gave more than 40 cases to the homeless shelter. In May,
the children will honor their mothers by donating items to the local women’s shelter.”
The program, which runs from August through May, is available each year to children
who reach age 4 by Sept. 1 of the enrolling year and are Georgia residents. Each year
allows space for 86 children, 28 of who are children of university faculty, staff
and students. The remainder availability is filled via a lottery process.
“It really is a melting pot,” Reid said. “Everyone comes together. We learn and build
a community together.”