Windy Hill School Attains N.H.-State Licensure
Windy Hill School, Colby-Sawyer College's on-campus laboratory school, has been licensed by the State of New Hampshire for preschool and early childhood education.
Under the N.H. licensing program, Windy Hill School must adhere to state rules and regulations as part of its daily routine and curriculum. State licensing requires preschool and early childhood settings to ensure that children are “in a safe and healthy environment and are provided with care, supervision and developmentally appropriate activities that meet each child's physical and emotional needs.” Required site visits by state licensing coordinators provide regular and continuous assessment of environment, staff-to-child ratio, staff interaction with children and each other, supervision of children, behavior guidance techniques and proper documentation.
In an April statement on Windy Hill School's curricular changes, Academic Vice President and Dean of Faculty Deborah Taylor Dean explained the benefits of the new program and state licensure. “These changes will provide collaborative and shared professional development experiences for Colby-Sawyer faculty and students, Windy Hill teachers, local private and public school teachers, and the families and children we serve,” said Vice President Taylor. “Windy Hill will take additional steps to fully realize the goal of becoming a focal point of child-centered educational excellence in the community.”
Windy Hill School Director and Associate Professor Diane Edwards of Social Sciences and Education is pleased that Colby-Sawyer decided to pursue state licensure for the lab school. “Although college-operated lab schools in New Hampshire are not required to be licensed by the Child Care Licensing Unit under the Department of Health and Human Services, [the licensure] helps streamline the curriculum and student activities based on the licensing rules and regulations,” she said.
One of only a few lab schools in Northern New England, Windy Hill also provides a homebase for Colby-Sawyer students to apply course knowledge in a supervised environment. This fall, approximately 120 Child Development and Psychology students studying Infant and Toddler Development, Introduction to Child Development, Developmentally Appropriate Practices, and Language & Creative Arts Birth, were able to research, study and work alongside teachers and faculty.
For more information about Windy Hill's programs, please contact Catherine Betz at cbetz@colby-sawyer.edu or 603-526-3695.
Colby-Sawyer College is a comprehensive college that integrates the liberal arts and sciences with professional preparation. Founded in 1837, Colby-Sawyer is located in the scenic Lake Sunapee Region of central New Hampshire. Learn more about the college's vibrant teaching and learning community at www.colby-sawyer.edu.
Colby-Sawyer College, 541 Main Street, New London, N.H. 03257 (603) 526-3000
