Skip to main content

Appalachian Today

News and events at Appalachian State University
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • Contact
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • Podcasts
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Accolades
  • Alumni
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Athletics
  • Awards and Honors
  • Community Engagement
  • Diversity
  • Events
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Gifts and Grants
  • Global
  • Health and Wellness
  • Publications
  • Research and Creative Works
  • Safety
  • Scholarships
  • Students
  • Sustainability
☰ Menu
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • Podcasts
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • Contact
View larger image

App State’s Child Development Center expansion nears completion just in time for fall 2022. The expansion will add an additional 54 students to the current enrollment that primarily supports App State’s faculty, staff and students. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

With expansion almost complete, App State’s Child Development Center nearly doubles in capacity

Child care program earns prestigious accreditation

“App State’s Child Development Center is one of the most sought-after child care facilities in the community. This expansion will help meet the high demand for child care with exceptional quality care for the children of students, faculty and staff.”

App State Chancellor Sheri Everts

By J. Todd Coates
Posted Aug. 5, 2022 at 3:49 p.m.

BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University’s Child Development Center (CDC) expansion is nearing completion this summer as the child care program adds a new accreditation to its high-quality credentials.

“App State’s Child Development Center is one of the most sought-after child care facilities in the community. This expansion will help meet the high demand for child care with exceptional quality care for the children of students, faculty and staff.”

App State Chancellor Sheri Everts

Finishing touches and tasks are being completed on the expansion project that will provide space for an additional 54 students — with priority given to children of App State faculty, staff and students. This will nearly double the center’s enrollment capacity.

“App State’s Child Development Center is one of the most sought-after child care facilities in the community,” said Chancellor Sheri Everts. “This expansion will help meet the high demand for child care with exceptional quality care for the children of students, faculty and staff.”

Part of the Division of Student Affairs, the center currently offers high-quality, affordable care to 68 children and has a waitlist of more than 200 children/families. The expansion will increase the total number served and address needs that are not being met by the existing program.

Everts said the university recognizes the importance of child care in recruiting and retaining highly qualified faculty, staff and students, and for allowing students to continue their education as they raise and expand their families.

The expansion will add five additional classrooms designed with young children in mind — including the furniture, with details such as child-size loveseats and coffee tables. These intentional designs were supported by CDC Director Moriah Stegall and her team to assist in nurturing young children and supporting the teachers in the physically demanding world of child care.

The expansion also includes a kitchen, laundry facilities and additional parking and sidewalks around the new and existing buildings. Additionally, a new AppalCART bus stop will be placed at the center, providing greater access to and from the center for those student parents and community families who rely on local transit.

A recent assessment by the university’s Wellness and Prevention Services indicated an increasing number of students have dependents and need additional support, such as child care options, to thrive at App State. Most of these student parents do not have family support nearby, according to Stegall. A potential secondary benefit to the larger community is that slots may open at other local child care facilities, due to the CDC’s increased accommodation.

The University of North Carolina System Board of Governors approved $2.57 million in university spending for this project to enhance the campus for students, faculty, staff and the public, and to provide support in recruitment and retention of all members of the university and local communities.

CDC earns Children’s Council accreditation

View larger image

Moriah Stegall, director of App State’s Child Development Center. Under her direction, the center has experienced a physical expansion — one that has increased enrollment, received a Five Star Center License from the North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education, and achieved accreditation from the Children’s Council of Watauga County. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Earlier this summer, the Child Development Center was awarded with accreditation from the Children’s Council of Watauga County after completing the council’s Pathways to Accreditation program. This follows the 2021 achievement of a Five Star Center License from the North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education — the highest possible and an increase from the center’s previous four-star license.

Pathways to Accreditation is a pilot program that North Carolina is considering as a potential model for other child care facilities. The program provides high-quality training, mentoring and professional development to Watauga County early childhood programs that meet the standards and criteria set forth by the Children’s Council. The Pathways program is designed to give ongoing support to early educators to enhance the quality of early child care settings by increasing positive teacher-child interactions, developmentally appropriate practices and professionalism of the early child care workforce.

This local accreditation is just one part of the center’s five-year plan, according to Stegall, who said she sees this as a building block to pursuing national accreditation. The Pathways program gave the center more personalized support and allowed the center to work with other child care facilities in order to support the entirety of early care practices in Watauga County. Stegall feels this accreditation process gave her staff more confidence to seek national accreditation over the next five years, she said.

While going through the Pathways program, each of the center’s team members contributed to the accreditation success and found validation for their switch from a thematic curriculum — a sequenced framework providing a clear progression of skills and knowledge — to an emergent curriculum. The center’s teachers have embraced this change and developed a renewed vigor by expanding provocations — activities that provoke intentional learning — to play off of a child’s interests while consciously integrating various learning objectives. With the emergent curriculum and more modern approaches to early care and education, such as mixed ages for continuity of care, beginning and veteran teachers are excited about a new way to teach.

“The Child Development Center has a culture of deep passion for providing exceptional care,” said Stegall. “I am incredibly proud to work with a dedicated, passionate and motivated team!”

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Child Development Center Expansion
Child Development Center Expansion

The Child Development Center expansion is one of several major construction projects underway at Appalachian State University to enhance the App State Experience. The project supports the strategic plan of App State and the university’s goals and metrics associated with the University of North Carolina System’s strategic plan. It will benefit students, academics and the community.

Learn more
Expansion plans for Appalachian’s Child Development Center underway
Expansion plans for Appalachian’s Child Development Center underway
Jan. 14, 2019

The expansion of Appalachian’s Child Development Center will increase capacity and enhance programs.

Read the story
App State Child Development Center expands services through federal grant funding
App State Child Development Center expands services through federal grant funding
Dec. 20, 2019

Through the grant, the Child Development Center is partnering with Appalachian’s Department of Family and Child Studies to offer expanded services that include a new home visitation program and increased availability of infant and toddler care.

Read the story

About the Division of Student Affairs

The Division of Student Affairs at Appalachian State University is committed to the development of lifelong learners and leaders by engaging and challenging students within a culture of care and inclusion. The division consists of 16 units that offer activities and services to help students develop more fully by becoming global learners, fostering healthy relationships, appreciating diversity and different perspectives, understanding community responsibility, enhancing self-awareness, developing autonomy and living ethically. These units include the Career Development Center, Campus Activities, Office of Community-Engaged Leadership, Wellness and Prevention Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Health Service, Parent and Family Services, University Housing, Student Conduct, University Recreation, Intercultural Student Affairs, Student Legal Clinic and Off-Campus Student Services, Electronic Student Services, Child Development Center, and Staff Development and Strategic Initiatives. Learn more at https://studentaffairs.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

“App State’s Child Development Center is one of the most sought-after child care facilities in the community. This expansion will help meet the high demand for child care with exceptional quality care for the children of students, faculty and staff.”

App State Chancellor Sheri Everts

Child Development Center Expansion
Child Development Center Expansion

The Child Development Center expansion is one of several major construction projects underway at Appalachian State University to enhance the App State Experience. The project supports the strategic plan of App State and the university’s goals and metrics associated with the University of North Carolina System’s strategic plan. It will benefit students, academics and the community.

Learn more
Expansion plans for Appalachian’s Child Development Center underway
Expansion plans for Appalachian’s Child Development Center underway
Jan. 14, 2019

The expansion of Appalachian’s Child Development Center will increase capacity and enhance programs.

Read the story
App State Child Development Center expands services through federal grant funding
App State Child Development Center expands services through federal grant funding
Dec. 20, 2019

Through the grant, the Child Development Center is partnering with Appalachian’s Department of Family and Child Studies to offer expanded services that include a new home visitation program and increased availability of infant and toddler care.

Read the story

Share

Topics

  • Awards and Honors
  • Community Engagement
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Students

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian

Share

Topics

  • Awards and Honors
  • Community Engagement
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Students

Other Recent Posts

  • App State awards degrees to over 4,200 graduates ready to shape the future
    App State awards degrees to over 4,200 graduates ready to shape the future
  • Student research and creative projects spotlighted at App State’s annual showcase
    Student research and creative projects spotlighted at App State’s annual showcase
  • Will Sears appointed vice chancellor of university advancement at App State
    Will Sears appointed vice chancellor of university advancement at App State
  • N.C. Governor Josh Stein to address graduates at App State commencement
    N.C. Governor Josh Stein to address graduates at App State commencement
  • App State honors 29 students, faculty and staff with 2025 Awards of Distinction
    App State honors 29 students, faculty and staff with 2025 Awards of Distinction
  • App State to offer AI concentration in master’s programs [faculty featured]
    App State to offer AI concentration in master’s programs [faculty featured]
    WFDD
  • Campus emergency siren test to be conducted May 7
    Campus emergency siren test to be conducted May 7
  • App State students help restore national wildlife refuge as part of Alternative Service Experience
    App State students help restore national wildlife refuge as part of Alternative Service Experience
  • Dr. Neva J. Specht appointed App State executive vice chancellor and provost
    Dr. Neva J. Specht appointed App State executive vice chancellor and provost
  • $2 million grant funds scholarships, supports STEM education for over 50 App State students
    $2 million grant funds scholarships, supports STEM education for over 50 App State students
  • App State named Military Friendly School for 16th consecutive year, ranked a top 10 institution for 2025–26
    App State named Military Friendly School for 16th consecutive year, ranked a top 10 institution for 2025–26
  • Explore the future of business with new AI master’s degree tracks at App State
    Explore the future of business with new AI master’s degree tracks at App State

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
  • Events
  • Videos
  • Galleries
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • COVID updates
  • Contact

App State

Copyright 2025 Appalachian State University. All rights reserved.

University Communications
ASU Box 32153
Boone, NC 28608
828-262-6156
[email protected]

Abouts

Disclaimer | EO Policy | Accessibility | Website manager: montaldipa (beltmr) .. | Website Feedback

Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram LinkedIn Snapchat