Charleston Child Care and Learning Center

“This is where the Power of Education begins”

Positive, Play-Based Learning

Charleston Child Care and Learning Center customizes “The Creative Curriculum”, a comprehensive early learning program to build children’s confidence, creativity, and critical thinking skills. A living curriculum, taught by qualified teachers, is rooted in child development theory and based in the well-researched idea that play is essential to healthy growth.

38 research-based objectives make up the heart of the curriculum and guides the work of our teachers with the children in their classrooms. The objectives, predictors of school readiness, are aligned with Early Learning Outcomes Framework.

Our Programs Serve:

• Infants, Toddlers and Twos (children from birth to age 3)
• Pre-school: Children age 3
• Pre-K: Children age 4 or born before September 1

Education For All:

Open, inclusive. and diverse, our curriculum gives teachers the tools to work with all types of learners. From English and dual-language students to advanced learners and children with disabilities. Our goal is to help every child reach their full potential.

Our Principals:

• Adults form the foundation. Successful learning is built on a foundation of securing relationships with caring adults who engage in meaningful, positive interactions with children.
• Connection is the key. Making friends and connection with class mates is a big part of success at school.
• A child’s work is to play. We support the development of the whole child by capturing their interest and maximizing their capabilities through constructive, purposeful play.
• Space and place are important. The physical space we provide is designed with intention and purpose. The learning environment is intended to serve as an invitation to investigate and inspire the joy of discovery and life-long journey.
• Learning is a partnership, a close collaboration between teachers and families that forms a full-circle of growth and learning.

Mr. Tony Ingram, Program Director for Charleston Child Care and Learning Center

I was approached to write an article on National Make A Difference To Children Month, and explain how Connect would be participating in this event. This special month happens each July, and suggestions for activities for this month include: doing an activity with a child, supporting an organization that serves children, telling policy makers to support initiatives for children, and telling other people about the campaign. As I started the article, I thought, “That will be easy. We help children every day.” At Connect, we help families receive subsidy assistance for child care while they work and go to school, assist families with finding child care, and by offering trainings and resources to child care providers to help improve the quality of the services they offer to children. After I listed all of the things we do at Connect for children, I thought to myself, “We make a difference every day because it’s our job, but what more could we do?”

Making a difference to a child doesn’t have to involve a month long celebration. Making a difference doesn’t have to be some spectacular event with banners and balloons. Making a difference doesn’t require money, special training, or a credential. Anyone can do it.

Here are 5 easy tips on how you can make a difference:

-Ask a child about their day, their favorite character, their favorite toy, or anything to start a conversation.

-Spend an hour playing with a child. Let them choose what to play.

-Have your next meal with a child sitting down at a table with no electronics.

-Spend some time with a child outside. Take a child fishing, swimming, to the park, to a garden, or on a walk.

-Read a book to a child.

At Connect, we specialize in making a difference for children every day. In reality, we can all make a difference to a child every day by devoting a little bit of time and attention. For more ideas on how you can make a difference, contact us at 304-414-4488 or stop by our office at the Schoenbaum Center.

Toni McKinley

Director

Connect CCR&R

WV Birth to Three/ River Valley Mother’s Day Blog May, 2017

This time of year our thoughts gravitate toward motherhood. Being a mother is one of life’s greatest gifts, greatest joys, and greatest blessings! For some families, however, these feelings may be somewhat tempered with the realization that their little one may need some extra help and supports in order to reach his full potential. This is where WV Birth to Three can help.WV Birth to Three is a grant program of WV Department of Health and Human Resources. We are an Early Intervention Program of River Valley Child Development Services. We provide services and supports for children birth through 35 months of age who have a delay in their development, or who may be at risk of developing a delay. We accept referrals from parents, physicians, friends, caregivers – anyone involved in the child’s life can make a referral.The Regional Administrative Unit (RAU) for Kanawha, Clay, Jackson, and Roane Counties is housed at the Schoenbaum Center. If you have concerns about your own child or about another child in your life, please call us! We will be happy to talk with you and to set up an appointment with you and your child to determine whether he meets the eligibility criteria to receive WV Birth to Three services.Services are provided at absolutely no out-of-pocket costs for your family. We have experienced practitioners who will work with you and with your child to ensure he receives the support he needs! This is a family-driven plan; your needs, desires, and schedule are considered every step of the way.For additional information and resources call us at our office – (304) 414-4460 – or visit River Valley’s website at www.rvcds.org under the “Programs” tab.