U.S. Serviceman Visits with Daughter at MSI Preschool

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Specialist Joshua Smith had an opportunity to take his daughter to preschool at the Mailman Segal Institute (MSI) for the first time on Monday, June 1.

During a two-week leave from his tour in Iraq, Army Specialist Smith saw his wife Jessica and daughter Ava for the first time since the baby was two weeks old. Now eight months old, Ava attends MSI through a unique program designed specifically for children of U.S. servicemen and women.

MSI has partnered with the National Association for Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) in providing quality early childhood education to children of active duty servicemen and women who are unable to access child care services on military installations.

Early childhood programs selected for participation in this initiative must be accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. They must also pass a rigorous evaluation process conducted by a NACCRRA representative who determines the ability of the program to meet the unique needs of children of military families, to provide outstanding preschool education, and ultimately, to provide peace of mind to deployed and active service military personnel.