PURPOSE

The purpose of the Early Childhood Developmental Program is to provide an educational preschool/child care program for children of parents who are working, and children with special needs.  Priorities are given to single low income families and children with special needs.

CHILDREN SERVED

The Early Childhood Development Program provides services to children 2 1/2 up to school age, whose parents are both employed.  All children considered for enrollment for child care must have a waiting list form completed for them.  Openings are filled from the waiting list by income and marital status.  When there is an opening for a child, parents must complete all necessary enrollment procedures before a child will be accepted for care. Transportation to and from the center for child care is the responsibility of the parent.

CURRICULUM

Children’s Developmental Services uses Creative Curriculum to ensure a high quality experience for young children. Creative Curriculum is research based and follows developmentally appropriate practices and NAEYC recommendations. The key building blocks for this curriculum focus on: how children develop and learn; the teacher’s role; what children learn; the family’s role; the learning environment. A set of 50 goals and objectives guides the children, teachers, and families as each child actively explores and learns at their own developmental level.

DAILY ROUTINE

8:45 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. HELPERS CIRCLE AND HEALTH CHECK
Children are chosen to be a helper during the day (i.e. lunch helper, snack helper, fish feeder).  The children area observed for any health concerns during this time.

9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. FAMILY STYLE BREAKFAST
Children practice language skills, manners (passing, sharing), social skills (waiting turns), and motor skills (use of cup and utensils).  Good nutrition is emphasized.

9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. CIRCLE
The large group participates in learning activities such as singing, movement, stories, finger plays, games and dramatics.

PLAY TIME

Children interact with materials in the classroom, reinforcing pre-academic and readiness skills through play with other children and adults. Opportunities for exploration, problem solving and social interactions are provided through many materials and interactions in areas of the classroom.

11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. GROSS MOTOR
Children experience a choice of outdoor, classroom or gym activities emphasizing running, manipulating toys, walking, riding trikes, climbing and social interactions.

11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. TRANSITION AND FAMILY STYLE LUNCH
Children assist in setting up for lunch. During lunch, children work on reinforcement of social, language and motor skills, and nutrition enrichment.

12:15 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. CLEANUP AND PREPARATION FOR NAP

12:30 p.m. PICK UP TIME FOR MORNING STUDENTS

12:30 - 3:30 p.m. RESTING AND NAP TIME

3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. SNACK TIME AND CLEAN UP

4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. AFTERNOON WORK TIME
Children participate in group activities indoors or outdoors and prepare for departure.

This schedule shows the periods of developmentally appropriate activities throughout the child’s day.  A great deal of significant learning also occurs as adults attend to the progress and interests of each child. Giving words of encouragement, sharing a child’s feeling of success, and using other naturally reinforcing events in the environment, also enhances the child’s learning experiences as they interact with the materials, activities and resources available in the classroom.  Throughout the day and during transition, children practice taking care of their own needs (i.e. toilet training, washing hands and dressing).