SWCCC Before and After Care
In 1989, Clark County's business, education and civic leaders joined Educational Service District 112 to take an extraordinary step: they launched the first of what has now become the largest community-run child care system in the United States. Today, this effort is recognized as one of the "best and brightest" examples of local, state and federal government programs addressing one of today's toughest issues: child care.
The Consortium now operates 27 centers in two counties serving 2,000 children and 2,800 parents utilizing more than 200 employees. The Patricia Nierenberg Child Care and Early Learning Center offers care for children with mild illnesses like colds or the chicken pox.
Affordability
SWCCC Center child care rates are at or below the average for the area, resulting in a quality program that remains very affordable.
Quality Program
The nationally recognized, research-based Creative Curriculum is used in all child care programs in the Consortium. Developmentally-appropriate versions of the curriculum are used for infant and toddler, preschool, and school age care. The Creative Curriculum was developed by Diane Trister Dodge and colleagues and is published by Teaching Strategies.
The Creative Curriculum presents an environmentally based approach to planning and implementing developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood settings. It is an effective way to help children gain the self-help and social competency skills they need for lifelong learning.
The five components of the Creative Curriculum framework are:
- How Children Develop and Learn
- The Learning Environment
- What Children Learn
- The Teacher's Role
- The Family's Role
The Creative Curriculum focuses on planning for 11 interest areas, each of which addresses children's learning needs:
- Blocks
- Dramatic Play
- Toys and Games
- Art
- Outdoors
- Library
- Discovery
- Sand and Water
- Music and Movement
- Cooking
- Computers
Quality Staff
SWCCC maintains well-trained staff as well as a variety of educational and training opportunities available to all clients, ranging from specialized services to general early childhood and parenting education. Employee wages are competitive with area providers and benefits include health, dental, vacation and sick leave, and an entrance into our apprenticeship program.
http://www.esd112.org/swccc/
Kindergarten Readiness (K-Prep)
The SWCCC kindergarten preparation program supports children as they transition from an early child hood program into an elementary school. It is our mission to support the whole child and this includes their family. We can help parents and children be successful in an educational environment so they may seek and embrace learning opportunities long after they have left our classrooms.
For our students, we offer/provide:
- Consortium collaboration with curriculum and individualization
- Artwork, stories, writing and pictures to add to portfolio and illustrate growth during the year
- Portfolio to take with them as they exit our program to share with their family and their Kindergarten teacher
- Pre-K students visit Kindergarten classroom
For our parents, we offer/provide:
- School district contact information
- Meetings with school districts to bridge communication and support smooth transitions!
For our teachers, we offer/provide:
- Monthly site visits supporting teacher and director
- Monthly small group trainings
- Bi-Monthly Large group training with STARS credit opportunities
School Age Care- Nationally accredited with National Afterschool Association (NAA)
Our Philosophy:
Children between the ages of 5 and 12 years in before and after school care represent a diverse group with a wide span of developmental differences. They often experience the challenge of a long day within a large group setting. School age care requires us to consider their individual needs for variety, special interests, relaxation, physical play activities, cooperative peer relationships and positive adult relationships.
What You Will See:
The school age room is arranged into interest and activity areas. These include a comfortable quiet listening and reading area, table activities such as puzzles, games and craft projects, homework and study area, building and construction, food preparation and eating area, and places for special projects and activities.
Activities, games and projects are designed to support and enhance children's development in literacy, math, science and the creative arts.
Children are given consistent guidance in learning cooperation, conflict resolution and developing a sense of "shared community" within the group.
Examples:
When you see children engaged in developmentally appropriate board games, they are learning about adding, subtracting, sequencing, following rules and cooperative planning.
When you see a child working on an art or craft project, they are learning to plan and organize their ideas, use a variety of tools and media and experience the joy of seeing their creative efforts emerge!
When you see adults and children engaged in conversation, the children are learning that they are cared for with individual ideas and emotions that are valued! "Jason, tell me about the science project you were working on in school today." "Mary, I'm sorry to hear about the argument you had with Suzy on the playground today. What do you think are some ways you and Suzy can resolve this problem?"
http://www.esd112.org/swccc/schoolage.cfm
Contact us at 360-750-7501.
SWCCC Center child care rates are at or below the average for the area, resulting in a quality program that remains very affordable."