Curriculum

The curricula throughout the center is play-based, developmentally appropriate and based on the children's needs, interests and ideas. All curricula is success oriented and includes:

• readiness activities in reading, math, science and social studies helps prepare our children for Kindergarten
  
• creative activities add wonder and joy while encouraging language, expression, movement and autonomy
  
• small group activities reduce stress, reduce competition, individualize concepts, prevent boredom and repetition, and give children the time to explore and soar!
  

Guests and field trips with education merit will be planned throughout the year to add to and expand our curriculum.

Adult / Child Ratios

Separation

Separation may be painful for the children and their parents. Some children at certain ages have more difficulty than others. Be assured that we will help your child and acknowledge his/her feelings as he/she works through these normal developmental stages. Again, the parents' positive and understanding attitudes are most important.

Simple daily routines make children comfortable:

• Spend a few minutes in your child's classroom. ALWAYS tell your child (using approximately the same words each day) that you need to leave but will return .
  
• Give your child lots of hugs and kisses and say "good-bye".
  
• Depart. It can be painful if parents stay too long.

If your child has or develops separation anxiety, the administrators or teachers will be happy to discuss your child's situation with you in more detail and give you regular progress reports.

Graduation/Orientation

When one of "our" children is developmentally ready to move to the next room, we ask that the parents schedule a time to speak with one of the administrators. This orientation conversation can be in person or by telephone.
Before a child changes rooms, parents will be informed in writing of the center's transitional activities. The child will spend time in the "new " classroom getting to know the teachers, children and procedures. A schedule of times for visiting will be announced in the formal orientation letter.

Lakewood Community Care Center has a policy that a parent must spend time at the Center with his/her child before the child is able to stay at the Center by himself/herself. This is to help ease the separation anxiety most likely being felt by both children and parents. These details will be discussed and pre-arranged prior to the move.

Most children are ready, comfortable and excited to move to the next class. Special difficulties, questions and concerns will be discussed by the parents, teachers and administrator.

Field Trips

As part of the curriculum at LCCC, we do like to take the children on field trips. Each child will be assigned to a parent or a staff member while on field trips. That parent or staff member will be responsible for that child while on the field trips. That parent or staff member will be responsible for that child while on the trip. Children will wear a pin with the center's name, address and phone number on or their LCCC T-SHIRT.

While children are on field trips sponsored by LCCC, the children will be transported on the LCCC van or by the parents vehicle. The van as well as a parent's vehicle will always have two adults, one as driver and the other as passenger. The staff/ child ratio will be met if not surpassed on all trips. The children will be assigned to a childcare staff member and / or parent while on the filed trip.

A copy of the daily attendance sheet and sheet and sign out sheet will be taken on all filed trips. Attendance will be taken prior to leaving LCCC and upon upon arrival. In addition, attendance will once again be taken before departing and arrival back at LCCC. The van will be checked by the driver to make sure all the children have departed the van.

Children must have the field trip form filled out by the custodial parent or guardian in order to participate on a field trip.

Meals and Snacks

Meals and snacks are relaxed and pleasant. Mealtime is also a learning time. The children are encouraged to cooperate, to use good manners and to try new foods. The boys and girls develop skills and autonomy by serving themselves and by being responsible for their eating area at the table. We say a simple non-denominational blessing.

• We say non- denominational blessing
• Parents of infants prepare and provide breakfast, lunch, baby food, and formula. PLEASE MARK all bottles, baby food jars, and containers.
• We provide bibs, silverware, dishes, cups and glasses. Many items are disposable, if not they are washed, sanitized and receive a clear rinse after each use. Foods will be refrigerated appropriately and a microwave is available for warming. Sugar is kept to a minimum.
• Foods refrigerated approximately and a microwave is available for warming.
• The center will provide whole milk each day and is always able to provide a nutritious well-balanced meal in an emergency.*
• PLEASE keep SUGAR to a minimum. The children love to share treats from home. We are always appreciate having a family share nutritious snacks with all the children.
• Remember to discuss ALLERGIES with your child's teacher. Allergies should be listed on the child's medical form and posted in the classroom.

Breakfast: A simple breakfast will be served between 6:30 and 8:30. NO LATER - PLEASE! We are very busy and need to move on with the day's activities.

Lunch: We have found that the children are more relaxed and eat better when they have a lunch that parents have packed especially for them. This also gives parents a chance to include the foods that you know your child will like and the amounts that you would like them to have.

Please remember though, according to the Revised Code 5101:2-12-39, that lunch constitutes one third of the child's recommended daily dietary allowance. Here are some helpful hints to assist you in packing a lunch that is nutritious and delicious for your child.

• MEAT OR MEAT ALTERNATE 1-1 1/2 oz
• Meat - 1-1 1/2oz.
• Cheese - 1 - 1 1/2 oz
• Eggs - 1oz
• FRUITS & VEGETABLES - Vitamin C should be served daily. (One fruit or vegetable should be dark green or yellow) 1/2 cup
• BREAD, WHOLE WHEAT OR ENRICHED 1/2 - 1 SLICE
• Bread - 1slice
• Pasta - 1/4 - 1/2 c
• Crackers - 3-6
• Buns / Bagels - 1

The center will provide milk each day and is always able to provide a nutritious well balanced meal in an emergency. Nutrition information and suggestions are available from the administrator.

Afternoon Snack: Will be provided and served between 3:00-3:30.