SIUE Early Childhood Center

History

The Early Childhood Center opened their doors in 1969 to approximately 40 non-traditional SIUE students from "the late starters" club. The advisor is Virginia Moore, a faculty member in counselor education and director of SIUE's Practicum Center.

• May 1969 - The Late Starters Club proposes a child care center be established on the SIUE campus. Linda Hines of Alton is named chair of the club's daycare committee. The proposal is sent to the then- SIUE President John Rendleman.
• August 1969 - The SIUE Day Care Center is established, operated by members of the Late Starters. It is located in the building on Lewis Road on the edge of campus that currently houses the SIUE Credit Union. The group applied for state license. Organizers say this will NOT be a "babysitting service", but will have planned early childhood programming.
• September 1969 - The SIUE Day Care Center is scheduled to open. Mary Herndon and Mrs. Ed Soliday are named the first teachers. Kathryn Peeler is named a full-time aide. Approximately 25 students were enrolled for mornings.
• September 1970 - Cheryl Oda is named Coordinator of the Center. What was then known as the Educational Division takes over operation of the SIUE Day Care Center.
• June 1971 - S. LaVernn Wilson named director of the Early Childhood Education Center.
• September 1985 - Ground is broken for a new 5,000-square-foot facility to house the Early Childhood Center at the corner of circle drive and Northwest Road. The Center's "play yard" is 7,500-square-feet.
• April 1986 - The newly constructed SIUE Early Childhood Center is dedicated.
• May 1990 - More than 200 parents and children attended the 20th birthday celebration of the Early Childhood Center.
• March 2000 - ECC Director S. LaVernn Wilson retires after 29 years of service.
• July 2000 - Rebecca Dabbs-Kayser named director
• 2000 and 2008 - Requested and awarded funding through US Department of Education Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) Program in an effort to increase access to postsecondary education through the provision of quality, affordable child care services for low-income student families.
• February 2003 - Maintain criteria for National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Reaccreditation. (valid through February 2008)
• August 2005-2011 - Requested and awarded Early Childhood Block Grant funds in partnership with Edwardsville School District to provide free 2.5 hrs. of pre-k services to 20 at risk 3-5 year olds (primarily student families).
• January 2008 - Retained architectural firm Holabird & Root to develop plans for renovation and expansion of ECC. ECC Renovation and Expansion construction began September 2008 and finished August 2009. The ECC was fully renovated and expanded to include two additional classrooms and additional common spaces
• January 2009 - Requested and awarded Nature Explorer Design Grant through the Arbor Day Foundation. The Early Childhood Center was selected to become a Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom Demonstration site. Grant included: Staff training-free workshop for up to 30 staff (value $3,000), Technical Assistance- The program received a free consultation visit from landscape architect and education team who developed a concept plan for outdoor space design (value $3000), and a $3000 stipend for outdoor materials to purchase natural outdoor equipment available from Nature Explore.   
• September 2009 - Dedication Ceremony of the newly renovated and expanded Early Childhood Center was held Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 2 p.m. Over 100 university and community members attend the dedication.
• March 2011 - The ECC hosted our first mini-conference titled Nature Education for Young Children. The workshops provided professional development/training for over 175 Early Childhood/Nature Education professionals. The conference featured an opportunity to see and experience Scotland’s first Nature Kindergarten featuring Keynote speaker Claire Warden, Mindstretchers, Ltd. Scotland.  Maria Segal, RA - Senior Designer, Architect, Holabird & Root; Stephanie Henschen – Early Childhood Teacher, SIUE and Amber Larson - Early Childhood Teacher, SIUE presented Nature-Based Play and Facility Design: Using Nature And Physical Space To Engage Children, Support Learning, And Improve Well-Being. Sara Kriess of Grounds for Play presented How green is your playground?
• March 2013 - Achieved National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Accreditation. (valid through February 2018)
• January 2014 - Earned 4-star rating through the Illinois Quality Rating System (QRS). Less than 10 centers in Illinois earned a 4-star rating. For Illinois DCFS licensed Centers there are four QRS Star Levels to achieve.
• October 2014 - The SIUE Early Childhood Center and the Early Childhood Education Program in the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior presented their first STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) conference for educators of young children at the SIUE Morris University Center. The conference featured keynote speaker Dr. Lilian Katz, Featured Speaker Diana McMillian, multiple workshop sessions presented by faculty members from numerous programs across campus including the STEM Center and ECC teachers Stephanie Henschen and Amber Larson. Closing remarks by award winning children’s author Jennifer Ward, followed by a tour of the SIUE Early Childhood Center and networking reception. Over 175 Early Childhood Education professionals attended conference.
• April 2015 - Earned Illinois ExceleRate Gold Circle of Quality. Gold Circle of Quality recognizes programs which have demonstrated quality on all fifteen standards, as validated by an independent assessor. Gold Circle programs meet or exceed specific quality benchmarks on learning environment, instructional quality, and all program administrative standards; group size and staff/child ratios; staff qualifications; and professional development. Specific evidence is required at each circle. Evidence included copy of a program policy, verification of training and proof of Gateways Registry membership. On-site assessment scores using rating scales (e.g. ERS, CLASS, PAS). Minimum scores must be achieved in order to meet standards at each circle.
• September 2016 - The SIUE Early Childhood Center and the Early Childhood Education Program in the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior presented their Second STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) conference for educators of young children at the SIUE Morris University Center. The conference featured keynote speakers Robin and Toni Christie of New Zealand, as well as multiple workshop sessions presented by faculty members from numerous programs across campus. Over 175 Early Childhood Education professionals attended conference.