Our goal at Grace Childcare Center is to provide a program that meets the needs of young children in settings that provide social, emotional, physical and intellectual growth. We welcome all children, including those with special needs, those from diverse racial, ethnic, economic, and educational backgrounds. Children of any or no religion are embraced. Individual creative expression is encouraged and respected. We emphasize and acknowledge the entire "learning process" rather than the finished product.

Grace Childcare Center maintains a strong focus on social development. The children learn to respect the rights of others, to take turns, to follow and to lead, and to try out adult roles through dramatic play. Our staff is composed of warm, caring teachers who provide the students with an opportunity to relate to adults other than their own parents in a supportive environment. In addition, the center cultivates cultural growth by encouraging the children to recognize the worth of each individual and the equal value of all racial and ethnic groups.

Emotional growth is fostered by providing an atmosphere which supports creativity, self-direction and real-life problem solving. Peer interactions and adult/child interactions; including peer negotiations, the ability to make choices and how to properly interact with others; help to build positive self concepts. Every child is given the opportunity to learn to value himself or herself as both an individual and as a member of his or her peer group.

Grace Childcare Center has ample equipment and space to advance physical development. Gross motor skills are developed through running, jumping, climbing, and rhythmic body movement. Outdoor play is an important part of our daily program and exercise and fresh air are a priority of our staff. Weather permitting, the children play outside every day.

The children have the opportunity to participate in a broad range of age-appropriate activities. The classroom is divided into hands-on learning centers that encourage experimentation, exploration, and discovery in a secure, safe environment. Language skills are supported through conversation, text and pictures, games, music, and art. Participation in story telling and reading activities will develop essential pre-reading skills and set the children on the path to literacy. Math and science skills are advanced through the use of sensory tables, blocks and other manipulatives, and cooking. As the children come to understand basic math and science concepts, they will develop new interests and skills that will help them as they move on to kindergarten and beyond.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about Grace Childcare Center.

Warmly,

The Teachers, Staff and Childcare Committee

of Grace Childcare Center

*Grace Childcare Center admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities available to the students at the center. The center does not discriminate on the base of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of educational policies, admissions policies and other center-administered programs.