The South Texas College (STC) Child Development Center at the Mid-Valley campus has earned national reaccreditation. The accreditation comes from the National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs. Only about 1,300 programs across the United States hold this honor.
According to Sylvia Serrano, manager of the Child Development Center, STC’s program is the only nationally accredited child care center in the Rio Grande Valley.
“We are very proud of this recognition,” Serrano said. “Our staff shows strong commitment, skill, and the ability to support high-quality learning. We follow research-based standards and evidence-based practices.”
The center first received national accreditation in February 2010. Since then, it has maintained its reputation for excellence. Along with national reaccreditation, the center has kept its Texas Rising Star Four-Star rating. This is the highest quality rating given by the state of Texas. The center earned this rating in March 2017.
The center serves not only STC students, faculty, and staff but also families from nearby communities. It cares for and educates children from 12 months to 5 years old. During summer, it also offers services for school-aged children up to 8 years old.
“Our mission is to be a model training program for early childhood professionals,” said Veronica Rodriguez, Child Development Program Chair. “We also aim to support families in our community. This reaccreditation shows that we meet the highest national standards. It proves we continue to grow as leaders in early childhood education.”
Rodriguez said the center’s success comes from the dedication and passion of its staff. “Our staff is the heart of our program. Every teacher has at least an associate degree in Early Childhood Education. This has raised the quality of our program. It has also helped increase enrollment. Parents often tell us they choose our center because of our highly qualified team and strong commitment to excellence.”
Besides providing quality early childhood education, the center is also a training place for STC students. These students study Child Development, Early Childhood, psychology, and related fields. They get valuable hands-on experience working with children under the guidance of experienced professionals. This experience helps prepare them for their future careers.
The reaccreditation process is voluntary and involves a self-study, an on-site review, and ongoing reports.
“It is a tough process that includes checking documents and observing the center on-site,” Serrano said. “It can be intense, but it confirms that our daily work is effective and makes a real difference.”
The National Accreditation Commission’s program helps early childhood centers show their commitment to quality. It evaluates their practices and outcomes in detail. Accreditation gives families confidence that their children are in a safe and high-quality learning environment.
“Reaccreditation is more than just a milestone,” Rodriguez said. “It strongly confirms our dedication to quality, professionalism, and constant improvement. We strive for excellence and are proud to keep setting the standard.”
