Philosophy

Eastminster Child Development Center is dedicated to providing a positive, caring environment for children, their families, and its staff. At Eastminster, we believe that children learn best through play and hands-on experience. Therefore, the program is designed to provide children with a variety of individual and group experiences aimed at developing children’s independence, creativity and positive self-esteem.

Classrooms are staffed with highly qualified, experienced adults who provide age-appropriate activities and materials in order to enhance all areas of development: social-emotional, physical and cognitive. In addition, adults provide support, expand play, help children resolve conflicts in a positive non-violent manner and serve as models for appropriate behavior and language.

Parents are an integral part of the program at Eastminster. Daily communication between teaching staff and parents is necessary to meet the needs of each child. Communication also takes place through newsletters, conferences and center-wide social events.

Eastminster believes that diversity makes a richer program and encourages acceptance of individual differences. Eastminster does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, special need, ethnic background, national origin, sexual orientation or age.

Teaching Staff

Eastminster prides itself on the quality of its teachers who are dedicated to providing the best care for your children. Our teaching staff is made up of highly qualified, experienced lead teachers, assistants and part-time aides.

Lead teachers are professionals with degrees in Child Development or a related field and are responsible for lesson planning, parent communication and overall classroom management. Assistants and aides are experienced adults with course work in Child Development or a related field.

Eastminster’s teaching staff work as a team to provide a safe learning environment through positive guidance and developmentally appropriate curriculum planning.

Parent Involvement

Eastminster believes that on-going communication between parents, staff and administration is necessary to provide a variety of opportunities for parent involvement including: field trips, potlucks and festivals, and home visits, as well as fund raisers and center-wide special events. Communication also takes place through newsletters, conferences and daily communication between staff and parents.  Parents who wish to be more involved in center operations are given the opportunity to run for the Board of Directors.

Board of Directors

Eastminster is run by a voluntary board made up of the following members: five staff, six parents and two community representatives.  The.Board of Directors oversees center policies, goals, and management guidelines.  Our board meets on the last Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. See the office for more details.

Food Program

Eastminster serves breakfast, the milk for lunch, and an afternoon snack.   Nutritious and appealing to young children, the food is served family style.   This encourages independence and fosters appropriate eating manners and habits.   Lunches are brought from home in insulated lunch bags.  The breakfast and snack menus are posted in each classroom in advance for parents' convenience.   Eastminster participates in the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

Enrollment

If you are considering enrolling your child at Eastminster we invite you to schedule a tour with the Center Assistant Director.  This will allow you to meet the staff and observe the programs offered.  Because we often have a waiting list we encourage you to speak with the Assistant Director about your child's anticipated start date.  Eastminster offers full and half day care to accommodate a variety of scheduling needs.

Tuition and Fees

Since Eastminster is a non-profit organization all income is applied to center operations.  Rates are established by the Board of Directors.  Families who qualify for public assistance are encouraged to apply.  Eastminster provides some grants when they are available.

Programs

Toddler - Ages 1 to 2 1/2: Toddlers are very eager to become independent and explore the world around them.  Teachers provide a nurturing atmosphere which encourages play, independence and development of social skills.

Preschool I - Ages 2 1/2 to 4:This preschool program offers a variety of creative learning experiences geared toward enhancing the social-emotional, cognitive and physical development of each child.  Theme-related activities, provided in a child-centered environment, foster positive self-esteem, creativity and problem solving skills.

Preschool II -Ages 4 to 5:This program is designed to prepare children for Kindergarten.  The curriculum is

based upon developmentally appropirate practice with activities implemented to develop Kindergarten skills in the areas of fine motor, gross motor, language, math, science/discovery, and social/emotional.  This program provided an environment conducive to promoting self-esteem and independence.   Children who attend public school Kindergarten are welcome to join our program before and after school.  Transportation is provided to Marble School only, all other transportation must be arranged by the parent.  full-day care is offered during public school closings, provided there is room in the classroom (be sure to check with the office).

Ratios

  Eastminster offers low adult/child ratios in order to provide appropriate supervision and individual attention to each child.

  Toddler ratio is 1 adult to 4 children.
  Preschool I ratio is 1 adult to 8 children.
  Preschool II ratio is 1 adult to 8.5 children.

Eastminster Child Development Center

Additional Goals and Objectives

• to provide an environment that celebrates individual differencesto serve as a support system for families
• to provide an atmosphere of caring and nurturance
• to foster an appreciation for music and the arts
• to provide opportunities for self-expression through language, dramatic play, art, and music activities
• to provide an enrironment that promotes successful inclusion of children with special needs.
• to enhance each child's sense of self-esteem
• to provide an atmosphere of respect for self, others and the nrvironment
• to teach positive, non-violent means of conflict resolution
• to provide a curriculum that focuses on the whole child and reflects an understanding of children as individuals
• to provide an environment that promotes successful inclusion of children for whom English is a second language
• to provide sponsorship for Family Day Care homes to participate in the Child & Adult Care Food Program