CSM Learning Center Earns Accreditation
Shauna Covert, child care teacher at the St. Charles Children’s Learning Center at CSM, works with, from left, Aiden, Everett and Quinn. The CSM learning center, which is located on the La Plata Campus, has received accreditation from the Maryland State Department of Education.
The St. Charles Learning Center on the La Plata Campus of the College of Southern Maryland has received recognition and accreditation from the Maryland State Department of Education, showing that the CSM center meets major standards of excellence.
“Being an accredited center is public recognition that we have voluntarily achieved standards above and beyond those required by state licensing,” said Marcy Gannon, CSM executive director of auxiliary services. “From an enrollment standpoint, accreditation shows families that we are committed to providing high quality care to young children. Being an accredited child care center on a college campus further shows that we are committed to higher standards and how we value education, as our teachers must meet higher education and continuing education requirements.”
Center Director Shirley Allen proudly said parents should feel confident bringing their children to the center. “Accreditation says that we are a center of excellence, of quality, commitment. We want to provide the best care for our children and families,” Ms. Allen said.
The center is now 10 years old and employs 29 caregivers for about 118 students, ages 8 weeks to 12 years. With 10,000 square feet of learning space, the center offers nine child-centered classrooms, a gymnasium, and a prep kitchen. It also has its own private landscaped playground and access to the CSM campus grounds. The goal for the center is to fill about 25 percent of its openings with children of CSM students and 75 percent with children from the community, CSM staff, and CSM faculty.
The center was awarded accreditation after a two-year process during which it had to prove that it met MSDE’s required standards and onsite inspectors needed to observe and approve the programs and operations there.
“It’s a challenge. It’s a big undertaking while still keeping up with the regular operation of the center,” Ms. Allen said.
However, Ms. Allen said the voluntary process to pursue accreditation was a positive experience for staff members. “It had us take a bird’s-eye view at everything we do at the facility. Everything.”
To prepare for the process, Ms. Allen said she visited other accredited facilities in the state and asked many questions.
She said she felt from the beginning that one of the main strengths of the St. Charles Children’s Learning Center is its teachers.
“I knew the teachers would blow them away. … The teachers in the classroom are the ones who made this happen. They are the ones who should take all the credit. They work very hard. They live the accreditation standards. I am very proud of them for everything they have done,” she said.
Accreditation status with MSDE will be effective through the end of 2019, when the center can choose to go through the process again.
The center and its staff are devoted to creating an environment that helps children interact with their world and peers — building confidence, self-esteem and a lifelong love of learning. Openings for additional children are currently available.
For information on the St. Charles Children’s Learning Center, see the website or call 301-934-7871. For more about MSDE accreditation, see the MSDE website.
For more about the College of Southern Maryland, visit their Leader member page.
