UND’s University Children’s Learning Center (ULCL) received pre-kindergarten approval from the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction this past week.

The ULCL provides childcare services for members of the UND and Grand Forks community. There is also childcare training provided at the location. It is located on UND’s campus at 525 Stanford Road.

The UCLC was already licensed as a childcare facility by the North Dakota Department of Human Services, and the state’s DPI’s approval of the UCLC is in addition to the early education laid out by the Department of Human Services.

“The teachers at UCLC are excited about receiving this approval because it is recognition of the hard work they do every day educating young children,” said UCLC Program Director Dawnita Nilles. “Early childhood educators are a valuable part of a child’s development and learning, which we know begins at birth, not at kindergarten.  This approval is a way for my highly qualified teachers to be recognized for their part in the child’s education.”

According to a UND press release, applicants must have a valid North Dakota teaching license, curriculum must follow content standards and incorporate 10 hours of research-based parental involvement in order to receive pre-kindergarten approval.

Sean Cleary is the editor-in-chief for The Dakota Student. He can be reached at [email protected]