Programs

Infants | Toddlers | Pre-School | School-age | Menomonee Falls 4K Program | St. Mary's Parish After School Care

Our General Philosophy Behind All Our Programming

The attitudes we strive to develop in the children we care for are:

• A positive self image.  Each child needs to know that they are accepted, cared about, and a worthwhile person.
• A respect for others.  The differences in people are "interesting" and enhance the growth of people and are something to learn more about.
• An "Interest in all things" objects, subjects, people.
•  "self control" - self discipline
• An "understanding of their feelings" and how to cope with them.
• An ability to "trust adults" in order for that to occur adults need to be trustworthy. 
• A "positive work attitude and habit" Teachers provide a very structured program in which children are assigned tasks that can be successfully accomplished. 
• A "joy of accomplishment" 
• A "willingness to try new things"
• A "positive pattern of social interaction" with peers and adults alike. 
• An ability to "be flexible".

Because young children learn by involvement and by experiencing these situations, these basic attitudes are lived in our classrooms, through the experiences planned by the teacher.  Our teacher's develop theme based curriculum every week their lesson plans are approved by the director. 

Our theme based curriculum follows the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards. The WMELS are intended to provide early learning opportunities that support children's continued success in school and future life.  To learn more about WMELS go to www.collaboratingpartners.com/EarlyLS.htm.  

Infants

All infant care is based on each child's individual schedule; teachers spend one-on-one time with each baby every day. Baby's go to our infant and toddler gross motor room each day.   There they play on the soft climbing stairs and slide.  When they are developmentally ready they can ride our riding toys, drive cars, push popping toys and play in our loft area.  Infants also are given opportunities for outdoor play experiences daily (weather permitting).  Our outdoor play area is equipped with an infant playground swing, grassy area with play houses and a canopy covered Soft-Tile patio.  Teachers also work with infants on sign language. 

Your baby's day is all recorded for you on a white board in the room.  When you pick up you can see when your child ate, slept, had his/her diapers changed and all the other special things they did throughout the day.

Each infant room is equipped with:

• Large windows to let in natural light
• kitchen area with refrigerator, microwave and full sink
• diapering area with it's separate sink
• a separate sleep area
• comfortable rocking chairs so teachers can feed and care for your child just like home
• infant swings
• exersaucers
• many toys to capture their attention and stimulate their growing minds

Parents supply:

• Diapers, wipes and ointments
• Baby cereal and jar food
• Formula or breast milk
• A crib sheet and blanket for naps
• Spare change of clothing 

 

Toddlers

Toddler days are filled with lots of fun and age appropriate activities.  Toddlers spend time each day in our large and small gross motor rooms as well as in our outside grassy play yard weather permitting.

Teachers follow a theme/play based curriculum. Activities include hands on experiences in:

• Language/Literacy:  reading, letter identification, sign language, dramatic play
• Math:  sorting, grouping, charting, counting,  
• Science:  exploring the natural world and a variety of sensory items in the interest table.
• Art:  gluing, coloring, painting and experiences in other mediums.
• Gross motor:  climbing, running, biking, playing games, kicking and throwing balls and parachute play
• Fine motor:  small manipulatives, puzzles, block building, and play dough

Other areas of development emphasized are:

• Social skills
• Self care skills
• Potty training under parents direction

Each of our toddler rooms are equipped with separate sleep areas for your child to nap, large tables for snack time and lunch.  A variety of age appropriate toys are available for free play to stimulate imagination and socialization.  

 

Pre-School

Our experienced teachers provide a rich environment that will help create life long learners.  We follow a guided play based curriculum, in order to give children the opportunity to explore and experience the world around them.  Daily outdoor opportunities include walks around the neighborhood and in our nature center, and of course play in our large fenced in playground.

                             

Developmental areas programmed to are:

• gross motor:  hopping, skipping, jumping, bouncing, throwing, and catching balls
• fine motor:  block building, puzzles, beads and pegs, coloring,  painting and drawing basic shapes. 
• language:  follow a sequence of directions, understand and relate stories, speaking in complete sentences, the ability to relate experiences, letter recognition, and opportunities to explore books.  
• math:  sequencing, charting, number recognition
• social skills:  playing social games (i.e. candy land, bingo, and old maid), problem solving and negotiating skills, ability to be flexible
• self care skills:  independence in dressing, bathrooming, hand washing, mealtime are stressed. 

Each classroom has centers that are developmentally appropriate include the following:

• Science area
• Dramatic play
• Book area
• Housekeeping
• Block area
• Fine motor
• Writing area
• Art area

Some of the "Units" of interest are:

• Self and Family
• Neighbors and friends 
• Community helpers
• Nutrition  
• Transportation
• Science and nature
• Musical instruments
• Seasons
• Health and safety
• Dinosaurs
• Farm animals
• Space
• Pets
• Teddy bears

 

School-age

We have a school age program for children five years old through twelve years of age.  Bus service to and from many Menomonee Falls schools is available.  We offer all day care for your child any day school is not in session (i.e. teacher in-service days, winter break, spring break to name a few). 

Each child needs to develop an understanding of self and others.  Learning how to express oneself and interact with peers is very important to the school-age child.  It is also essential for school-agers to develop relationships with others outside the normal school setting. It is for this reason we stress cooperation building, self awareness, responsibility, conversation and cultural awareness. 

Your children will enjoy many activities while with us.  During our school-age care time we offer a quiet time where children can unwind after a full school day, children are given a snack, and homework time if needed.

 

Other activities include:

• Puzzles
• books
• board games
• art activities
• Lego's
• doll house play
• arts and craft activities
• gross motor activities in our gym and/or in our large outdoor play yard

The most important part of the pre-school classroom is the teacher.  We constantly strive to improve each teacher's effectiveness, because the quality of the teacher determines the quality of the program. 

  

Menomonee Falls 4K Program 

Children's Community Center collaborates with the Menomonee Falls School District to provide space for their 4 year old kindergarten program.  This program is taught by a Menomonee Falls School District teacher and is the same program taught in a district school, she works with an educational assistant who is a CCC employee.  One of the big advantages in having your child attend this program at CCC is that we provide wrap around care for your child.  Our staff person is also the same caregiver who would be with your child on days off of school giving a consistency in care.    

 

St. Mary's Parish After School Care

Children's Community Center teachers provide after school care at St. Mary's from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Snack, homework time and free choice activities are provided.  On days off of school and summer you will be given the opportunity to sign up for care, which is provided at our main location on Christman Road, from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.