- Community & Alumni Engagement
- Kneedler Child Development Center
Kneedler Child Development Center
The Kneedler Child Development Center is named in honor of Mary Kneedler, a long-time advocate for quality care and education for children. It is a community of caring and learning and is dedicated children and their families.
Designed specifically for young children, the facility serves University parents as well as the local community and has a 5 star rating from the North Carolina Division of Child Development as a model for the care and education of young children.
The Center currently operates four of the six classrooms; two for one-to-three-year olds and two for three-to-five-year olds; and can accommodate 70 children. Each classroom offers developmentally appropriate activities designed to stimulate the social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development. The outdoor, fenced in playground provides opportunities for fresh air and healthy physical activity.
There is a lead teacher and an assistant teacher in the 3-5 year old classrooms and two teachers in the 1-3 year old classrooms. All teaching staff has either a two-year or four-year degree in each classroom. The Center Supervisor has a Bachelors’ degree in Early Childhood Education or related field with Administrative level III credentials. All Staffing patterns are based on the North Carolina Division of Child Development, North Carolina Star Rating System, and the Head Start Act of 2007. The Kneedler Center also provides internships, field experiences, and volunteer services for Western Carolina University students.
Children at the Kneedler Child Development Center receive a breakfast, lunch and a pm snack each day provided by Mountain Projects, Inc. Foodservice. All meals meet the requirements and regulations of the CACFP-Child and Adult Care Food Program (in accordance to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans), Head Start Performance Standards and the North Carolina Division of Child Care. Menus for all meals are planned and approved by a contracted Registered Dietitian. Sample Menu
