For press information, contact Curt Guenther

The Barbara K. Lipman Early Childhood School and Research Institute is one of the nation’s first early childhood programs to earn accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the leading organization of early childhood professionals.  The Lipman School is the laboratory demonstration early childhood school for the College of Education at the University of Memphis.

 “We’re proud to have earned this mark of quality from NAEYC, which recognizes our commitment to achieving the highest professional standards,” said Sandra Turner, director of the Lipman School.  “This notable accreditation tells the families of this city that the children in our program are getting the very best care available and the very best learning experiences possible.”

Dr. Michael Hamrick, interim dean of the College of Education, said, “Lipman School’s recent accreditation approval confirms what generations of students, parents, and prospective early childhood educators have known for a long time – that Lipman School models the best available practices in early childhood education.

“The School’s success is a tribute to a team of highly skilled faculty and staff, the dedicated leadership of Ms. Sandra Brown Turner, the school’s director, the exceptional involvement of parents, and the long-time support of Mr. Ira A. Lipman and Mrs. Barbara K. Lipman. The Lipman School is one of our community’s great assets.”

To earn NAEYC Accreditation in the new system, the Lipman School went through an extensive self-study process, measuring its program and services against the 10 new NAEYC Early Childhood Program standards and more than 400 related accreditation criteria.  The Lipman program received this accreditation after an on-site visit by NAEYC assessors to ensure that its program meets each of the NAEYC standards.  NAEYC-accredited programs are also subject to unannounced visits during the accreditation period, which lasts for five years.

In the 20 years since NAEYC accreditation was established, it has become a widely recognized sign of high-quality early childhood education.  More than 11,000 programs, serving 1,000,000 young children, are currently accredited by NAEYC – approximately eight percent of all preschools and other early childhood programs.  “The new NAEYC accreditation system raises the bar for preschools, child care centers, and other early childhood programs,” said Dr. Mark Ginsberg, executive director of NAEYC.  “Lipman School’s recent NAEYC accreditation is a sign that the School is a leader in a national effort to invest in high-quality early childhood education and to help give all children a better start.”

The NAEYC accreditation system has set voluntary professional standards for programs for young children since 1985.  As of September 2006, the Association’s revised program standards and criteria have introduced a new level of quality, accountability, and service for parents and children in child care programs.  The new standards reflect the latest research and best practices in early childhood education and development.  NAEYC is committed to using the newest studies and analyses on positive child outcomes to ensure that young children continue receiving the highest-quality care and education possible.