Early Childhood Center
Philosophy
The Early Childhood Center is the lab school for Colorado State University’s Human Development and Family Studies Program. We offer a quality program for young children, train CSU students for careers in early childhood education, and provide opportunities for research related to children, families, and early childhood education.
The central focus of our program is to promote a positive self concept and to respect the unique individual differences in each child. We work in partnership with families to ensure a quality educational experience for their child.
Meaningful educational experiences are planned in a caring atmosphere to promote the physical, social, emotional and intellectual growth of each child. Through the encouragement of self expression, curiosity and explorations of his/her own world, both at home and at school, the preschool age child will develop a healthy self image, a sense of responsibility, helpfulness, and will learn problem solving and decision making skills.
Purpose of the center is threefold:
- Teaching - to involve graduate and undergraduate students in observation and participation experiences with young children
- Service - to serve the needs of children and their families for a half or full day enriched environment
- Research - to provide opportunities for research related to children, families, and early childhood education
*Now enrolling for Summer 2009*
The focus for the summer program will be the environment, science & nature and Zoo Phonics literacy.
Choose either one or both sessions of full day preschool. (Various schedules available)
Cost $40 for a full day
Session one: May 26-June 26
Session two: June 29-July 31
A $15 registration/materials/insurance fee is due for each session or $25.00 for both sessions upon registration. Please call 491-7082 with questions, to set up a tour or to register.
Unique aspects of the program:
- We have served children and families since 1929
- NAEYC accredited
- Professional, educated and experienced staff
- One of the lowest adult-child ratios in the state
- International, diverse atmosphere
- Each family is entitled to 5 free counseling sessions at the Center for Family and Couple Therapy in the Gifford Building
- Observation booths for watching your child at any time
- Nutritional snacks planned and prepared by students in Food Sciences and Human Nutrition
History
The Early Childhood Center has been serving children in the community since 1929. The program opened at the site where the Rainbow Restaurant now sits on Laurel Street. At this time it was only a summer program. The preschool moved to Rockwell Hall in 1972 and in 1974 the Village Child Care Center opened across the street from the current Gifford site. In 1976 the ECC moved into the Gifford Building and the ECC Toddler Center opened in 1982 when the Village Child Care Center and the Preschool combined.
Curriculum
We offer a quality program for young children. Weekly curriculum is created to enhance the learning processes of the children in specific areas of development. These plans include structured activities based on the developmental stages and interests of the children. There are blocks of time for self - directed activities as well as teacher directed large and small groups.
The program features activities and experiences in social development, reading and language readiness, science, math, music and physical development. Our environment is one that fosters kindness, the ability to problem solve, intellectual growth, and the joy of discovery. The curriculum is planned around the interests of the children. The indoor and outdoor environment, as well as the broader HDFS community, is utilized in carrying out the daily program.
2007-2008 - Daily Classroom Journals
The ECC uses daily journals for communication with parents and they are posted daily on the bulletin boards between the classrooms. The journals are reflections of projects and lesson plans that went on during the day. Below are some examples that show what type of activities we do with the children and how we convey our curriculum using a project approach.
Parents' Involvement
Parents are one of the most valuable aspects of our program. Let us know what you have to share with the Early Childhood Center. Your contributions can greatly enrich our program. Some of these contributions might include sharing your culture, participating in a circle time activity, reading to the children, participating or giving input to our Parent Advisory committee (PAC).
