The E.L. Cord Foundation Child Care Center at Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) has received the Accreditation+ designation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), marking the highest level among three accreditation tiers. The achievement follows a two-year evaluation that included an assessment of 336 research-based standards covering teaching, curriculum, family and community engagement, and program leadership.
The center scored 97% on the assessment. Center Director Keri Meranda said, “It’s a really big deal, because the assessment process is so intense. There’s 10 quality standards, with assessment under each standard, a portfolio with evidence and documentation that our staff had to collect.”
In northern Nevada, only five other child care centers hold NAEYC accreditation, and there are 34 statewide. The center was previously accredited by the National Accreditation Commission but pursued the NAEYC designation to better align with TMCC’s Early Childhood Education degree programs. The new accreditation is valid until October 2030.
Early Childhood Educator Renee Caudill highlighted the center’s approach to child assessment: “I’m really proud of our assessment process. We assess every child from six weeks to five or six years (of age). They do the ASQ, the ages and stages for the zero-to-three-year-olds, and then we have the pre-K for the older kids.” She emphasized collaboration with parents through conferences: “We’re a team, and we help you as a parent. That’s very much unheard of in this town,” Caudill continued. “Parents love to hear about their children. For me, as a teacher, besides the quality care and education, I’m really proud of us forming those bonds and keeping that communication with the conferences. It’s really important.”
Parent Ashlyn Herold, who is also TMCC Budget Manager, expressed support for the center’s practices. “I love the ASQ assessment during the parent-teacher process. It gives me a comprehensive picture of where my kids are developmentally,” she said. “I walk away knowing not only my kids’ strengths, but also areas that we need to pay attention to or help them develop. A lot of the tasks in the assessments are activities that you can work on with your kids if it's an area they are struggling with. The ASQ is just one of many examples of how the Child Care Center levels up what's provided at daycare and preschool.”
Administrative Assistant Carol Gribbin described preparations for accreditation: “From the administrative side, we worked extremely hard on the program portfolio. There were 134 items collected, with narratives and documentation. We provided evidence to support each standard, and it was a big undertaking. We passed with a 98 percent.” The process concluded with an unscheduled site visit over six months. Meranda said, “The visitors assessed everything in each classroom, every single aspect, and provided comments on each area… Everything was included, and we received above average feedback.” Caudill added appreciation for TMCC staff support: “We couldn’t have gotten ready without the support of TMCC’s maintenance staff, facilities, grounds and custodial staff… It was a full year of preparing the physical building as well.”
Herold noted improvements during accreditation: “I did notice some changes being implemented during the accreditation process that I was happy about… I know the staff works so hard, and they are absolute professionals in that you honestly have no idea all the stuff they are doing behind the scenes to make the place as wonderful as it is. They mostly just seem focused on the kids!”
The center serves both NSHE-affiliated families—including those from TMCC, University of Nevada Reno (UNR), and Desert Research Institute—and community members more broadly. Gribbin stated: “About 60% of our families are affiliated with the Nevada System of Higher Education… It’s a well-known fact that there’s a waiting list to get into CCC...the wait list is currently only open to TMCC and DRI families.”
Herold praised staff dedication: “The staff at the Child Care Center has provided the most kind and attentive care to my children and family… Child care isn't just about kids...it's so important that parents feel they can discuss their preferences, questions and concerns...TMCC's center is top-notch in that regard. The Child Care Center is a gem in our community, at college and in Reno at-large.”
Looking ahead after accreditation completion Meranda said: “We’ll look at few things that we didn’t meet, and see why we didn’t meet them–but otherwise, we’ll carry on our high standards… Continued high quality care—we’re not going to change anything.”
For more information about enrollment or programs offered by E.L. Cord Foundation Child Care Center contact TMCC.