Structure of the Center
The Center has 3 different age groupings. The ages for each group (in September) are: Infants, ages 6 weeks to 18 months; Toddlers, ages 18 months to 3 years; Preschool, ages 3 to 5 years.
There are procedures in place to transition children from group to group. September tends to be a month where more transitions occur due to children exiting to Kindergarten, but transitions can and will occur throughout the year. The decision to move the child is made jointly by the Director, Program Coordinators and teachers and will be discussed with the parents. Three factors are taken into consideration: the age of the child, his/her “readiness” in relation to the composition of the group into which he/she would be moving and whether there is space in that group. In all cases, the best interest of the child is the primary consideration.
The Center’s maximum capacity for licensing is 55 children. The group composition is as follows:
Classrooms
Two Infant classrooms ranging in ages 6 weeks – 18 months accommodating 12 children.
Two Toddler classrooms ranging in ages 18 months – 3 years accommodating 20 children.
Two Preschool classrooms ranging in ages 3 years – 5 years accommodating 23 children.
*For September 2011 – Summer 2012 we will only have 1 Infant Classroom, 2 Toddler Classrooms and 3 Preschool classrooms to meet the needs of our currently enrolled children best.
Group Ratios
Infants: 4:1 Maximum class size 6 children
Toddlers: 5:1 Maximum class size 10 children
Preschool: 6:1 Maximum class size 12 children
Teachers
Each group has at least 2 primary teachers who share responsibility of the group. We also use part-time assistant teachers to work in various groups depending on our group needs.
The employees for the Center are hired directly by the Director, in collaboration with the Program Coordinators and the Teachers. A person hired as a Teacher is expected to have a degree in Early Childhood Education or have several courses in this area and to have classroom experience. Part-time teachers must be at least 16 years old and will be under the supervision of a full time Teacher.
Administration
The Center’s Director is responsible for maintaining all aspects of the program. The Center has one Assistant Director/Program Coordinator and one Program Coordinator to help the Director with administrative duties. They both have classroom responsibilities in addition to administrative duties.