Monday, June 23, 2008

St. Peter’s Child Care & Preschool

The St. Peter’s Center was conceived as more than a place for quality child care for busy, working parents. It is devoted to the children’s education and development during their formative years, with the welfare of the whole family firmly in mind.

The Christian context in which St. Peter’s Child Care & Preschool operates influences both the developmentally age-appropriate curriculum and the atmosphere of the day-to-day life at the Center.

The Preschool has a “Chapel Time” each day, and all the children learn various table prayers before lunch and snacks. More importantly, the Christian influence of the Center is seen in the interactions among the children, between the children and the staff members, as well as the relationship between the Center and its families.

Faith, respect, forgiveness, patience, encouragement, accountability—all these and more are traits learned and experienced each day. Yet, children and families are not required to be members of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church or any church to experience this unique atmosphere at the Center.

While the Center and its staff have been fully licensed by the State of Wisconsin since opening on August 1, 1994, accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) was awarded in December, 2000, and continues in good standing today. NAEYC accreditation is a rigorous, voluntary process of intensive self-study and validation visits by outside early childhood professionals. These materials are independently reviewed by a team in Washington, D.C. which grants or defers accreditation. Once granted, accreditation must be regularly renewed. The accreditation process focuses on the children’s experiences in the Center. All aspects of the St. Peter’s program are considered: health, safety, staffing and staff qualifications, physical environment and, above all, the Center’s program for child development, care and education.

The Center staff’s voluntary participation in the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards was completed in recent months. These Standards refer to specific development areas and expectations for children ages 3-5 as they prepare for Kindergarten. Together with the developmentally appropriate curriculum already in place through NAEYC accreditation, the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards ensure that children at the St. Peter’s Center receive the finest preparation for school.

The Staff is frequently commended by outside observers in the early childhood profession, and often sought out for advice by planning committees from area communities who desire to emulate the Center's program. The Staff includes Connie Hendrickson, Carol Schulz, Janet Ryce and Amy Paskey.

St. Peter’s Child Care & Preschool is open year round (except major holidays), Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., for children ages 2 to 8. For more information, please contact the Center Director, Connie Hendrickson, at 608-635-4825 or Cmdh62@aol.com.

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