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Accreditation / Licensing

Established in 1843, Stella Maris is one of the oldest and highly accredited not-for-profit, early childhood education centers in the United States.

SMCC focuses on early childhood education and developmental milestone achievement and strives to be an educator and not a "baby-sitter."

Accreditation, Licensing & Partnerships include:

• Missouri Accreditation
• State licensed through Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services
• A United Way funded agency
• Early Head Start / Head Start Partnership with YWCA and Youth in Need
• CACFP (Child & Adult Care Food Program)
• Parents as Teachers
• Reggio Emilia® Curriculum
• Project Construct® Curriculum

Distinctions and awards include:

• Mayor's Spirit Award of Excellence, 2007
• State licensed by the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services
• Missouri Accreditated
• Eleven year Head Start/Early Head Start Partner
• One of first 10 child centers to implement "Parents as Teachers" program
• Long-standing Member of the Child Day Care Association of Greater Accreditation
• Proud member of the United Way of Greater St. Louis
• Reggio Emilia® Center - Only child center to be designated as the pilot site of Reggio Emilia for Urban St. Louis. The Reggio Emilia approach to education is committed to the creation of a learning environment that will enhance and facilitate children's construction of his/her own powers of thinking through the combination of all the expressive, communicative and cognitive languages. www.reggioemiliaapproach.net
  

Professional, experienced and dedicated - Stella Maris Child Center provides early childhood education with a heart...and great results.