The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) / Consolidated Students University of Nevada (CSUN) Preschool is a division of the Department of Special Education. The preschool is housed in the Lynn Bennett Early Childhood Education Center on the UNLV Campus. The mission of the UNLV/CSUN Preschool is to provide a model inclusive early childhood program that serves children (6 weeks to 5 years of age) of students, faculty, staff and the surrounding campus community.

UNLV/CSUN Preschool was founded in 1974 and has been accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs since 1994. An Early Childhood Special Education Model Demonstration Program that serves preschool age children with disabilities was incorporated into the Preschool in 1994. Through cooperative agreements, programming for children with disabilities is provided by the Clark County School District.

In addition to providing the campus community with much needed service, the UNLV/CSUN Preschool is an Early Childhood/Special Education clinical site which is being utilized by practicum students and student teachers in the Departments of Early Childhood Education, Curriculum and Instruction and Special Education in the College of Education, as well as the Department of Psychology and the Department of Nursing. The Preschool has become a major source of on-campus employment, hiring approximately 125 student assistants each semester.

The UNLV/CSUN Preschool celebrates all children in an inclusive environment with no prerequisites for participation. It recognizes the diverse needs, ability, interests, and cultures in a setting where each child is valued and respected as a unique individual developing at his/her own rate.

We believe that each child's development is guided by a cooperative team of professionals through observation, interaction, and well-planned learning activities.

Through promotion of a curriculum that provides age-appropriate and individually appropriate activities, equipment and materials, children have many opportunities to be actively engaged in the learning process. The curriculum promotes the development of the whole child - physically, socially, emotionally, and cognitively through a balanced daily schedule of individual, small group and activity based learning experiences.

We recognize the importance of working closely with families and acknowledge family involvement as an essential and vital component of the total learning process. Families are encouraged to participate in all activities within the program.

Educational pursuits are balanced to respect the needs of the children, their families, and UNLV/CSUN Preschool's ability to maintain a quality service program. The Preschool collaborates with faculty, schools and community groups to advocate for improved resources for young children and their families. Research activities initiated by UNLV/CSUN Preschool or by faculty and students in related fields of study are intended to promote knowledge of developmental issues and practices relevant to child "educare," early learning and the practical application of this knowledge.

The outcomes of these studies have been presented at numerous national conferences such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), The American Association on Mental Retardation (AAMR), The Association for Severely Handicapped (TASH), Council for Exceptional Children (CEC/DEC), The National Coalition for Campus Children's Centers (NCCCC), The Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI), and The American Evaluation Association (AEA).

UNLV/CSUN Preschool is a transdisciplinary training site uniquely designed to meet the needs of children, families head staff, while also offering student appointments as teaching assistants. The Preschool provides opportunities for university students and members of the community to increase their knowledge of child development, developmentally appropriate teaching practices, anti-bias/inclusive program planning, and family/teacher/child interactions. Students, faculty and other professionals from child-related disciplines can learn about Child Development, Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education on site.

UNLV/CSUN Preschool also promotes evaluation of its current programmatic components such as infant/toddler and preschool curriculum, child nutrition, family involvement, multicultural diversity and creative environments for children. In-service and pre-service experiences include classroom observations, internships, student teaching practicums, directed experiences, apprenticeships and mentorships.

As the field of Early Childhood Care and Education evolves to meet the growing needs of today's children and families, UNLV/CSUN Preschool will continue to play a leadership role in teaching, training, and research at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

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