About Us

Facilities | Staff | Fees | Policies

Children’s Community Center, affectionately known as “CCC”, was established in 1975 for the express purpose of providing quality early education and childcare to young children to help them develop positive attitudes about self and others, enabling them to function responsibly and happily in society.

Our dedicated staff genuinely cares about each child as a unique individual.  Our programs helps each child develop to his/her highest potential, regardless of race, color, ethnic origin or intellectual potential.

Facilities (click to view photos)

• We have a locked secure building

• Eighteen bright and sunny classrooms

• Two indoor age appropriate gross motor rooms:
- Infant and toddler gym with bright colored soft climbers, developmentally appropriate loft play area, and a variety of riding toys.

- Expansive larger gym for older children which contains mats for exercising, wooden and plastic climber, and an ample size loft.

• Four large fenced outdoor play areas:
- Infant play area provides grassy play experience with swing and canopy shaded Soft-Tile patio
- Grassy toddler play area with Soft-Tile track for bikes and numberous play climbers
- Larger grassy area with two wooden play structures, a large play house and sandboxes.

• Two-acre nature center contains walking paths through wetlands, woodlands and prairies for outdoor adventures. [back to top]

Staff

                                                       

All staff are fully state certified, most have education well beyond the minumum certifications including associate and bachelor degrees in Early Childhood Education.

All staff are Red Cross certified in CPR and AED.

We also enjoy longevity with our staff. Many of our teachers have been with us 5, 10, 20 years and longer. [back to top]

 

Fees 

CCC charges on an hourly rate basis in 15 minute increments. 

 

Beginning 8/29/11:
$5.80 per hour for infants and toddler
$5.00 per hour for children over 2 1/2 years of age 

This includes a morning and afternoon snack with juice and milk for lunch

 

A  nutritional hot lunch is available through our caterer Quality Catering for Kids for an additional fee. [back to top]

 

 

 

Policies 

Educational Policy

It is the responsibility of the staff to program to the individual needs of each child, understanding the levels of functioning and the expected progressions according to developmental sequences in all areas of learning.

A.  Programming shall be geared to insure the child's success.

Children learn through personal involvement and interaction with his/her environment.

Children develop a positive image and a feelings of self-worth by successful accomplishments along with proper, positive feedback from the teacher.

B.     Curriculum development is the responsibility of each teacher.  The director shall oversee the planning of that curriculum on a weekly basis.

C.     Curriculum is theme-based.  The holidays celebrated at the center are not emphasized as much as the seasons.

D.    The structured teacher planned developmental educational program operates daily from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. A morning and afternoon snack is provided and lunch is served at 12:00 (Toddlers lunch is served at 11:00 a.m.)  A ½ hour gross-motor outdoor experience is included during the pre-school hours.  A printed daily schedule is posted in each classroom.

***Infants function on a self-based individual schedule.

E.     Opportunities for social, emotional, cognitive, physical, creative and intellectual growth are provided for within our daily curriculum.

F.      Children's Community Center has an open door policy.  Parents are able to communicate what teachers on a daily basis.  A newsletter with center and classroom information is published monthly.  Other information is posted outside of classrooms.

A Parent Bulletin board on the west side of the lobby offers information on parenting, center news, open house, annual picnic, and 'meet your teacher' night, etc.  The adjacent book rack holds the state licensing rules, all Children's Community Center policies, and community information. 

G.    Transitions within the daily program will be handled with as little wait-time as possible.  Teachers directed activities - songs, finger play, stories, games, etc. will keep children involved.

H.    Programming focus for school age children:  A planned program will provide a change from their school routine through quiet activities, outdoor/active play, and freedom to select and plan their own activities.  Assistance with home work will also be available.

I.      Programming focus for Infants/Toddlers:   Staff has been specifically trained to enhance the development of infants and toddlers through loving, individualized care giving.  Opportunities for growth in all developmental areas-physical, emotional, social, language/cognitive, gross and fine motor - are provided. 

J.      Our outdoor play space consists of three separate fenced in play areas.

1.     Our infant play area has low age appropriate climbing structures, double swing and a large boat for water play.  It is accessible from all three infant classrooms.

2.      Our toddler play area is divided.  The first area is equipped with an age appropriate climbing structures, running area, push and pull toys, sand play area and padded riding track.  These play areas are internally accessible.

3.      The age three and older play area is located behind our school.  The fenced in area is attached to our building with two hallway accessibility.  There are two large climbing structures.  One age appropriate for three to five years olds with attached large sand play areas.  The other climbing structure has additional challenges for the school age program.  Also available in our fenced in area is an additional sand play area, basketball hoop, water table, sun shelter barn and a running area. 

4.      Children's Community Center also has an additional two acres of land behind our fenced in area and most of this space is a nature Center.  Included in this area is a riding track for our wheel toys and a large play house

K.    Plan for early morning and late afternoon:

1.      Breakfast rooms are available 6::30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.

2.      Supervised play until pre-school session starts.  Gross motor and quiet choice areas are available.  

3.      After rest time children are grouped by age for quiet activities, snack, outdoor/active play and freedom to select their own activities what supervision.

4.      Outdoor or gym time is planned into the afternoon schedule for all full day children. [Back to top]   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Child Guidance Policy 

It is basic to Children's Community Center's philosophy that all "discipline" or guidance procedures are designed to help the child develop internal controls - self-discipline and respect for the rights of others.  A child's self-esteem shall be maintained, as the prevailing attitude will be "I like you, but what you are doing is not acceptable."  

Guidance measures used for all ages are as follows:

1. Child shall be assisted by teacher to follow through on directive.
2. Child shall be redirected to another activity or area.
3. Child will have a "time out" - which means removing the child from the situation in a non-humiliating manner in order to interrupt the child's unacceptable behavior.  The time-out period may not exceed 5 minutes and is prohibited for children under 3 years of age.
4. Children are given many opportunities to develop social skills such as cooperating, negotiating and talking with the person involved to solve interpersonal problems. Teachers facilitate the development of these positive social skills at all times.
5. There is on going communication with parent regarding behavior and development.  Conferences can be requested at any time.

A parenting consultant is available upon request. 

Days Closed Policy 

Children's Community Center is closed for 9 paid holidays for staff, those being New Years Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, July 4^th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve Day and Christmas Day.  There may be an additional floating day to be determined. 

Nutrition Policy

Because young children are in process of developing life-long eating habits, the Center is desirous of helping to establish good nutritional eating pattern.  Socialization is encouraged during snack and meal time.  Areas of concern include:

1. Thorough chewing
2. Moderate-size bites
3. Wide variety within each food group 

A.  Center's Food Policy

1. We serve 100% fruit juice.
2. Snacks will be as sugar-free as possible.  (Examples: dry cereals, graham crackers, soda crackers)
3. Donation of special treats for holidays, nutritious treats are encouraged, vegetables, cheese, etc.
4. Milk will be provided at lunch time.
5. A mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack will be served.

B.  Breakfast Policy

1. 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Children often need some "wake up" time before eating breakfast.  Because parents are usually rushed in the morning, it might be better for the child to eat at school where "hurry up and finish" will not become an issue.
2. Parental responsibilities are:
    a. provide breakfast foods.
    b. prepare child's breakfast and get him/her sitting at the table.
3.  Center's responsibilities are:
   a. provide breakfast milk & juice
   b. provide supervision

C.  Lunches-Provided by Parents

1. Wisconsin licensing rules state that lunches need to consist of at least one serving each from following food  families as required by USDA.
   a. Cereal family (whole grain breads)
   b. Protein family (meat, cheese, peanut butter)
   c. Vegetable family (tomato, lettuce, cucumber, etc.)
   d. Fruit family (apple, banana, pear, etc.)
2. Please discourage
   a. "Junk foods"
   b. Sweetened juices (Hi-C, Kool-Aid, etc.)
   c. Multiple desserts (one dessert per meal is sufficient)
   d. Microwaveable meals and Lunchables
3. Milk provided by the Center is 2%.  If your child is on any other type of milk, you need to provide it.
4. Lunch will be served at 11:00 a.m. for toddlers and 12 noon for older children.
5. Food allergies for children in the class will be posted near the microwave in the classroom.

Parents ! Please include one piece of fruit and vegetable in lunch

D. Lunches - Hot lunch program

1. Lunches are provided through a catering service.  Four food groups will be addressed daily.  Menus will include diverse foods.  A monthly menu is posted in the front lobby and copies with order forms can be picked up by each family wishing to participate.  Choices will be made one month prior for the days you wish to use the program.  The cost will be per meal, no refunds given if lunch is not needed.
2. No Specialty types of menus are prepared.

E. Infant/Toddlers

1. Bottles of milk/formula will be provided by parents. (If your child is drinking milk form a bottle, it is the parent's responsibility to provide this milk, whatever type it may be. 
2. All jars of baby food will be provided by parents. [back to top]