What does it mean to be a Candidate School?
The early childhood professionals at Union Church’s preschool have had their eye on the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme since today’s 30-somethings were students at the school. On Aug. 30, the school announced it had been named one of four stand-alone preschools in the country to earn the title of Candidate School — the final step before full designation as an International Baccalaureate school.
“We’ve been on a journey to find something that will hold us accountable to our high standards,” said Jennifer Keldahl, Union Church Early Childhood Programs director. Introduced in 1997, the PYP will do just that while pushing the preschool to be even better and offering new opportunities to students its educators, Keldahl said.
UCECP has prepared generations of children for elementary school by teaching them to be enthusiastic learners through a play-based curriculum.
“We weren’t looking for a change,” Keldahl said of the school’s pursuit of PYP status. Rather, they sought recognition that will open up global opportunities, including a teacher exchange program that allows educators to experience teaching in other parts of the world.
Keldahl, who earned a master’s degree in early childhood education supervision and is working toward a doctorate from Harvard University, said early childhood education programs aren’t taken as seriously as they should be. Children experience huge neurological growth in their first years, making it a critical time for learning, development and education. Yet too often, preschool is regarded as babysitting, Keldahl said. Programs like PYP give validation to the work that preschool teachers do every day to create learners of the future.
Rather than introducing a standard set of lessons to children each year, the curriculum at UCECP changes based on the interests of its students, Keldahl said.
“Last year, we had a group who were obsessed with dogs,” she said.
To feed the children’s’ interest, the school created a vet clinic where students could learn about animals through play, and brought dogs into the classroom.
Keldahl said she and other staff members at UCECP began the targeted pursuit of PYP candidacy in early 2024. The process involved interviews, reviews of the school’s programs, classes for staff and meetings with stakeholders. Word that their efforts had been successful came the day before school began last month.
Key to the school’s acceptance as a Candidate School were its proven continuum of education, its open-minded and welcoming curriculum, and its commitment to preparing students for lifelong learning and critical, free thinking.
A consultant from the PYP will work with UCECP throughout the year to prepare the program for full recognition as an International Baccalaureate program.
Keldahl said candidate schools typically earn PYP status about one year after their candidacy is announced. That will coincide closely with the preschool program’s 70th year in Hinsdale.
“It’s exciting stuff,” she said. “We’re very proud.”
— by Sandy Illian Bosch
