Our Philosophy
About CCDC

CCDC is designed to meet the social, emotional, physical and intellectual needs of early childhood in a secure, nurturing, and stimulating environment. Curriculum is rich in opportunities to explore, create, and learn.

To achieve the goals of quality and consistency, CCDC values the involvement of parents. Staff and parents work cooperatively to provide for continuity between home and school, to formulate solutions in helping children cope with separation, and to insure that each child's program is in his/her best interest. We believe that early care and education should address the needs of children and their families. We respect the uniqueness of parent/child interactions. Teachers become important adults in a child's life but at no time do they view themselves as surrogate parents. We believe a commitment must be made by both staff and parents to share information on a daily basis. Children come to school with a history--both from their earlier life, and on a daily basis determined by the tenor of their morning period before arrival. We feel this information is important in predicting and structuring for the child's progress on a given day. If we are to successfully address the needs of a child, we must operate in partnership with parents.

We believe that play is a child's medium for learning. Observation of a child's play provides us with the information necessary to understand and plan for individual children. Within the context of play, we can address the needs of the child.

We believe that a balance between group time and individual time should be maintained. A child receives the message that he/she is special when we effectively utilize one-on-one time. Group time provides the framework for the development of social skills, feedback from others necessary for a child's organization of self-image, and for the integration of concept development.

CCDC recognizes that interpersonal relationships are the single most important factor in the healthy development of the child. It is through them that he/she receives not only the physical security, but also the stimulation and information necessary in promoting total development and in ordering his/her world. Therefore, CCDC is committed to providing a consistent and nurturing environment under the direction of trained personnel capable of facilitating and providing for a wide variety of positive personal interactions.

We believe in providing all children with avenues for success. We believe that when curriculum utilizes a child's area of interest he/she will become actively involved and learning will have relevance. Likewise, he/she will be more willing to accept structuring, intervention, and support.

We believe in respecting the individuality and preserving the integrity of children. We encourage cooperation, not conformity. We think children are competent people capable of understanding much more than they can articulate. We feel strongly about setting realistic limits that respect individual differences and challenge development.