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About Our Program

The child care center is divided into three large rooms. This allows us to separate the children into three main age groups: 2- and 3-year-olds, 4- to 6-year-olds, and 7- to 12- year olds. School-age children may also use the center after school, in the evening, when their school is canceled, and during the summer. The center has a capacity of 65 children at any one time. Groupings of children are arranged according to age with the following staff to child ratios:

  • 2 year old group—5:1
  • 3 year old group—7:1
  • 4-6 year group—10:1
  • 7-12 year group (after school, evenings)—10:1

Equipment

Each of the large rooms is equipped with furnishings appropriate to the children's physical size and equipment appropriate to their age. Each room also has its own restroom facilities, along with a diaper-changing area for each of the the two and three year old rooms.

Each room operates with a daily schedule, planned activities, and interest centers.

A Typical Day

Our curriculum is based on the principles found in The Creative Curriculum for Preschool. We adhere to the policies and practices of early childhood promoted by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. We believe that children learn by doing, through active involvement with their environment. By focusing on the interest areas within the room, adding and changing the toys and activities offered, children learn by being involved in the classroom, with each other and with the staff.

Our environment is arranged to provide interest centers for small-group use including dramatic play, book center, block area, manipulatives, free art activities, computers, and others.
Our daily schedule includes interest-center time, circle/story time, quiet time, snack, planned activities, and outdoor play. Children below the age of first grade take rest time on a cot during the early afternoon.

Snacks are provided morning, afternoon, and evening. Children are served a healthy array of snacks, including fresh fruits and vegetables. All snacks are free of preservatives and additives.
Meals: Children bring their own lunch and dinner, if attending during mealtime hours.

Outdoor play is scheduled for morning, afternoon, and evening except during inclement weather. The fenced playground includes a sandbox, climbers, hard surface for riding toys, and basketball hoop. There is a separate playground for two year old children.

Guidance/Discipline

Discipline is handled in a positive manner with the understanding that children are continually learning appropriate ways to interact with their peers. Guidance techniques include: giving children choices, using positive statements to give directions and suggestions, redirecting activity, active problem-solving with the child, reinforcing what children do appropriately, and helping the child find acceptable ways of expressing strong feelings.

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