This portion of our web site is designed to give you an overview of our Children's Center program. We encourage you to read about our philosophy and staff. We are very proud of the fact that our program 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.
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 his/her 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 meet this goal through the implementation of a well rounded, comprehensive, child-centered curriculum prepared and presented by trained and caring staff in a safe and nurturing environment. For children, our goal is to provide a play oriented curriculum based on an integrated philosophy where respect for the child, positive guidance and the development of self-esteem are important values. Teaching and caregiving practices are based on the emerging abilities of the child.
We use an integrated approach to curriculum, based on experiential activities incorporating each area of development. We offer a range of activities that includes art, language arts, math, science, food experiences and psychomotor skills, as well as activities geared to develop and enhance self-esteem and promote an awareness and acceptance of diversity. A comprehensive nutrition program including breakfasts, lunches and snacks is an integral part of our program.
For our staff, our goal 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 meet this goal by conducting 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. Opportunities to improve and expand parenting skills are provided. We meet this goal through workshops and presentations, parent-teacher conferences, and by encouraging 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.
For child development students who participate in our centers, our goal is to provide an educational experience 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, our goal is to actively participate in issues which enhance support for children and families. This involvement shall be on a national, state and local level. Additionally, it shall be the goal of our center to be a resource to the child care community of Sonoma County.
The Children's Center is 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.
Our teaching staff is composed of teachers with early childhood
education credentials, child development backgrounds and experience
with young children. Additionally, master teachers and student
interns work with the children as well as college students who
are in training at the center. We utilize student employees,
child development students and parent volunteers to 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, the
Program Supervisor, who oversees the Children's Center's programs
and a Site Supervisor.
The SRJC Children's Center is 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 utilize the program
in three different ways:
1.) Students do observations of teacher/child interaction, play and use of materials and the environment, while taking Child 90.2.
2.) Students act as teacher assistants for one semester while taking Child 60.1 or 60.2. This is our teacher training course. These students work under the supervision of the instructor of this course and the master teachers. The role of these students is to guide and interact with the children, and to plan and implement curriculum.
3.) 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 number of Child Development students varies each semester. The Child Development Department educates and trains 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.
