INTRODUCTION
This portion of our web site is designed to give you an overview of our Children's
Center program, which has been Accredited by the National
Academy of Early Childhood Programs. This accreditation is
your assurance that our program maintains the highest levels
of quality care available.
THE CHILDREN'S CENTER AS A MODEL DEMONSTRATION
SITE
The SRJC Children's Centers are set up for two major purposes:
to provide child care for student parents and to provide a
model demonstration site for students studying child development.
Students and Child Development instructors use the program
in three different ways:
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Students observe teacher/child interaction, play and
use of materials and the environment.
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Students act as teacher assistants for one semester while
taking Child 60.1 or 60.2. This is our teacher training
course. Students work under the supervision of the instructor
of this course and the master teachers. Student teachers
guide and interact with the children, and plan and implement
curriculum.
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Three Child Development interns work part time in the
Children's Center. Interns are advanced child development
students who have completed their student teaching and
are enrolled in child Development 60.3.
The Child Development Department educates and trains students
a growing number of students to work with young children and
families in a variety of roles and settings in the community.
We are proud to be an integral part of the instructional component
of the college.
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PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY, GOALS AND GENERAL INFORMATION
To ensure a high quality program, we offer a well planned,
developmentally appropriate curriculum based on individual
needs of children. We recognize and affirm each child's need
to grow and develop at her/his own pace. In order to provide
the most appropriate care, children are grouped developmentally.
We currently have six classrooms: an infant room, three toddler
rooms, and two preschool classrooms.
Our primary goal is to provide a high quality program for
the children in our care. We offer a well rounded, comprehensive,
child-centered curriculum prepared and presented by trained
and caring staff in a safe and nurturing environment. Our
play oriented curriculum is based on a philosophy integrating
respect for the child, positive guidance and the development
of self-esteem. Teaching and caregiving practices are based
on the emerging abilities of the child.
The Center's curriculum is based on experiential activities
incorporating each area of development. These activities include
art, language arts, math, science, food experiences and large
and small skills, as well as activities geared to develop
and enhance self-esteem and promote an awareness and acceptance
of diversity. A comprehensive nutrition program includes breakfasts,
lunches and snacks as an integral part of the curriculum.
The environment is designed to be child-centered and allow
opportunities for children to choose among a variety of activities.
These activities reflect children's interests and needs based
on information gathered during observations and assessments.
Children have an opportunity to choose independent activities
and to participate in teacher-directed projects in both large
and small groups. Staff encourages children to solve problems,
ask questions, find answers, explore interesting materials,
and develop curiosity, thus nurturing the development of thinking
skills as well as building a base of knowledge.
Our goal for our staff is to provide a working environment
that encourages and stimulates on-going professional growth
and training while providing adequate support to meet the
demands of the position. We conduct staff training and weekly
in-service meetings for feedback and discussion and annual
opportunities for staff and program evaluation and planning.
It is our goal that staff reflect the diversity of the population
served.
For parents, our goal is to create a partnership that is a
positive experience for the child and supportive of the whole
family. We offer opportunities to improve and expand parenting
skills through workshops and presentations, parent-teacher
conferences, and encourage parents to participate in the center
or in other ways which enhance or support the goals of the
program. The diversity of the parent population is respected
and is considered an enrichment of our program.
We strive to provide an educational experience for students
in a high quality child care setting by modeling appropriate
teaching and discipline strategies in a child-centered environment.
Students assume an active role in the center and take on increased
responsibility as they acquire appropriate skills and experience.
For the community, we actively participate in issues which
support children and families on a national, state and local
level. Additionally we offer our center as a resource to the
child care community of Sonoma County.
The Children's Centers are operated on a non-discriminatory
basis according equal treatment and access to services without
regard to ethnicity/race, color, sex, age, religion, marital
status, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, medical
conditions, veteran status, or political affiliation.
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STAFFING INFORMATION
Our teachers have early childhood education credentials,
child development backgrounds and experience with young children.
Lab assistants and student interns work with the children
as do college students who are in training at the centers.
Student employees, child development students and parent volunteers
work with children and provide support services. Our administrative
staff consists of the Director of Early Childhood Education
who oversees the Child Development Department and the Children's
Centers Program Supervisor, who oversees the Children's Center's
programs and a Site Director.
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