About
Vision
Lead the state and nation in the advancement of early childhood education and development.
The Kansas Institute of Early Childhood Education and Research will foster excellence in:
- Research - Advance and apply our knowledge of early childhood development and pedagogy through transdisciplinary research and education.
- Outreach and engagement - Translate research into practice and guide future efforts through the reciprocal process of teaching and learning with communities, families, and practitioners.
- Policy and advocacy - Engage communities and policymakers in advocating for access to affordable, high-quality child care and education nationwide.
- Education and scholarship - Provide high-quality educational opportunities to all students preparing for careers involving children and families and related disciplines.
- Professional learning - Recruit and retain a diverse workforce of licensed teachers and early care and education providers who are lifelong learners and provide opportunities for inter-professional practice.
- Compassionate care - Employ evidence-based practices to provide the highest standards of compassionate care to the children and families we serve.
Mission
The Kansas Institute for Early Childhood Education and Research mission is to generate knowledge and apply the science of child development to education, research, policy, and practice for young children and their families and engage the communities in which they live and grow. We are committed to providing a rich and deep understanding of early childhood development informed by theory, research, and evidence-based practices.
KIECER Accreditations and Licensures
Teacher Education. The early childhood education pre-service teacher preparation program is accredited through the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and approved through the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) to prepare students for Early childhood unified (birth through kindergarten) teacher licensure (it is a blended licensure certifying expertise in teaching typically-developing children and children identified with developmental and learning needs). Supervised clinical experiences with licensed teachers provide mentored opportunities in reflective practice in home-based, center-based, and school-based settings.
Service. Childcare services are provided by the K-State Center for Child Development. The facility is accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and licensed by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). It meets high quality food service standards of the Child and Adult Care Food Program.
Research. All research is reviewed and approved by the Kansas State University Institutional Review Board (IRB) for the safety of human subjects.