UNLV students use on-campus preschool as place for research

David Becker/ViewMia Youhne, a doctoral student at UNLV, gathers data from the observation room adjacent to one of the preschool classrooms at the Lynn Bennett Early Childhood Education Center located on the campus at 4505 S. Maryland Parkway. Advertisement

At the Lynn Bennett Early Childhood Education Center at UNLV, little ones aren't the only ones learning from the child-centered environment. Although the campus is in fact a working preschool, the center is trying to position itself as a research hub for UNLV students.

Inside the preschool's observation room, large Mac computers rest on work stations hidden from the population of the outlying rooms by a two-way window. Cameras in the preschool classroom record the way children learn, play and pretty much anything else a researcher could desire. Students from different colleges throughout the UNLV community are welcome to use the preschool for research and observation, and preschool director Claire Tredwell said she hopes they do.

"It's brand new," Tredwell said. "It just gives researchers a private work station."

The center falls under UNLV's College of Education, but Tredwell wants students from other disciplines to use the research area, including those from business, health and nutrition.

Within the past year, the center has had four major research projects conducted onsite.

One of those researchers is Mia Youhne, who is working on her doctorate in early childhood special education at UNLV.

"I'm actually data collecting right now," Youhne said. "If it wasn't for the preschool, I wouldn't be able to target this group."

Youhne is focusing her research on the differences in multi-age versus single-age classrooms in play and interaction.

"It's so high-tech, and I get to use the equipment," Youhne said.

The doctoral candidate said she uses pretty much all of the available technology, including the center's built-in and portable cameras.

"I'm just glad they have it," Youhne said. "I would definitely highly recommend the UNLV preschool for research."

The Lynn Bennett Early Childhood Education Center itself conducts ongoing research about the services it provides.

Outside the classrooms are stacks of surveys that parents are encouraged to fill out, with questions relating to their children's experiences while at the center.

"Research prioritizes change, and we're always looking at how we can make it better," Tredwell said.

The school is open to children from all over the community, and the preschool's population is made up of a mix of faculty children, UNLV students' kids and children from the neighborhood.

The preschool has 11 classrooms for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old, with and without special needs. The total enrollment is 222.

Children with and without special needs are placed in the same classroom and are taught how to interact with one another.

The center's early education curriculum is based around the concept of inclusion, meaning all children are taught together, regardless of learning levels and needs.

Tredwell herself has a background in special education and said she has always felt that children learn best alongside their peers.

"It's a written philosophy that's endorsed by everyone who works here," Tredwell said. "We have a very strong commitment to that as a whole."

In keeping with that commitment, the preschool is in the process of forming play groups with children referred to them by Nevada Early Intervention Service, a group that serves children with special needs.

"Inclusive practices are a big draw to researchers," Tredwell said. "They have the ability to look at needs and see how they can be addressed in children."

Youhne cited the center's inclusive environment as a draw for researchers, as well.

The preschool recently was re-accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, which means that the center voluntarily underwent an external professional review to verify compliance with certain criteria.

The recertification is good for three years. The preschool received scores of 100 percent in nine out of 10 categories, and received a 92 percent in physical environment.

Contact View education reporter Laura Carroll at lcarroll@viewnews.com or 380-4588.

HOW TO REGISTER AT THE CENTER

Registration is just around the corner for the Lynn Bennett Early Childhood Education Center at UNLV, as Dec. 8 at 7:30 a.m. marks the opening of registration for the spring semester. Although the preschool has a standing waiting list, Tredwell said she never knows when and for what age level the campus will have an opening for a prospective student.

As such, the school automatically places all newcomers on a wait list, which costs $5 in administrative fees. Tuition ranges from $225 bi-weekly to $90 every other week, depending on the age of the children being enrolled and the length of time of care. The UNLV/CSUN Preschool is open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday during the fall, spring and summer semesters.