Early Learning Center
Philosophy
The wellbeing of the children and families is the primary concern of the Clinton County Early Learning Center (CCELC). We strive to instill a lifelong love of learning by providing children with rich experiences using the Frog Street and Conscious Discipline curriculums. These curriculums build upon what children know and expand their knowledge in new skills. Both curriculums follow the Early Learning Standards set by the state of Ohio and the Early Learning Guidelines set by the Office of Head Start. We use a developmentally appropriate screening tool called ASQ to capture a picture of where a child is upon enrollment. This is completed by the teacher and reviewed with guardians during parent-teacher conferences. As part of the curriculum, our teachers are trained to complete anecdotal notes and documentation. The documentation is then used to assess the educational skills, milestones, and goals of each child throughout their educational journey at The Early Learning Center.
We value and encourage daily communication between teachers, children, and families. During operating hours, families are welcome to visit the center, volunteer in a classroom, observe their child in the classroom, be a guest speaker, and more. If you would like to volunteer, please see the Administration to schedule a time that works best for both parties.
We partner with local businesses to create long-lasting relationships and provide services to both parties. For example, Cape May. We partner with them and have senior assisted living volunteers once a month. They rock babies, play outside, and more. Another example is our Yoga for Child Mental Health program, which supports children’s mental health through yoga sessions.
About Our Center
The Early Learning Center is a new branch of the Community Action tree, launched in 2021. Located at 1600 Alex Drive in Wilmington, the ELC is the only non-profit, full-day center for children aged 0-5 years old. With ‘Early Learning Experiences’ as a top priority, the ELC utilizes the research-based Frog Street Curriculum for subjects such as cognitive development, science, math, language, literacy, social-emotional skills, social studies, fine and gross motor skills, and creative arts. We also focus on ‘Conscious Discipline,’ a research-based social-emotional curriculum, to guide children in recognizing and regulating emotions and handling feelings appropriately. Structured routines and schedules are utilized in each classroom, and children’s progress is assessed at regular intervals to set individualized goals using research-based assessment tools. Furthermore, the ELC actively engages families through two parent-teacher conferences each year, fostering a partnership to support the child’s growth and development.
Staff & Facility
ELC staff must possess an early education degree or hold a Child Development Associate (CDA) certification and are certified in First Aid, CPR, Child Abuse recognition, and Communicable Disease control. All staff engage in 15 professional development hours each year. Formal observations and evaluations are conducted annually to assess staff performance, and certified classroom observers conduct quarterly classroom assessments. Our facilities are licensed by the state of Ohio through the Department of Jobs and Family Services and maintain a stellar standing in compliance with state regulations. We actively participate in the state’s ‘Step Up To Quality’ program. To enhance security, all classrooms, hallways, and playground areas are equipped with cameras, and all doors have security keypads. For outdoor activities, we offer a private, fenced-in area providing a secure environment. Within this space, we have designated garden spots aimed at educating children about the growth of food and plants, fostering an appreciation for nature. The ELC hosts a dedicated infant play corral, swings, a covered shelter house, and specially designed Little Trikes for the youngest learners.
Contact Information
1600 Alex Drive, Wilmington, OH, United States, Ohio
937-481-5681
Our Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/34N19OYNR3H8S?ref_=wl_share
