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Gesell Institute Accredited by NAEYC

UWSP Press Release
The Gesell Institute has earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children – the nation’s leading organization of early childhood professionals.

“We’re proud to be accredited by NAEYC, and to be recognized for our commitment to reaching the highest standards in early childhood education,” said Lorrie Richardson, Teacher and Director of the Institute.  “NAEYC Accreditation lets families in our community know that Gesell children are getting the very best early learning experiences.”   

The Gesell Institute exists as a vital component of the Early Childhood Education major in the School of Health Promotion and Human Development at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.  Approximately 100 undergraduate and graduate students receive laboratory experience working with young children and their parents within this facility.  The program is developmentally based and provides quality programming for children ages two until they enter school. 

The Gesell Institute bears the name of Arnold Gesell (1880-1961), UWSP graduate and noted pioneer in the study of child development.  The Gesell Institute has been in operation at UWSP since 1971.

More than 11,000 early childhood programs – serving over one million young children – are currently accredited by NAEYC.  “In recent years, we’ve seen a growing number of child care and preschool programs earning NAEYC Accreditation,” said Mark Ginsberg, Ph.D., executive director of NAEYC.  “By earning accreditation, The Gesell Institute has become a leader in a national effort to raise the quality of early childhood education, and to help give all children a better start.” 

NAEYC created its accreditation program in 1985 to set professional standards for early childhood education, and to help families identify high-quality child care and early education programs.  To earn NAEYC’s accreditation, a program conducts a self-study to determine how well it meets the standards.  After necessary improvements are made, the program is observed by independent, professional validators, and then reviewed by a national panel.  Programs are accredited by NAEYC for a five-year period.