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PHILOSOPHY Our Infant program utilizes a primary care system, allowing children and families the opportunity to bond with a particular caregiver within a classroom. Infants and toddlers need to feel secure in their environment; establishing a trusting bond with caregivers, while coming to the gradual realization that parents come back at the end of the day. Particular attention is given to the separation process and the ebbing and waning of stranger anxiety that occurs throughout the infant and toddler years.
Our Preschool program incorporates the Developmental-Interaction Approach to learning. This philosophy stresses the inseparability of the child’s emotional life from his or her intellectual and physical development. Children’s understanding of information is carefully documented and represented in many forms. Portfolios are maintained by staff as a means of assessing children’s areas of strength and need. In both the Preschool and Infant/Toddler programs, social experiences are viewed as the key to later academic success. We consider it vital that children learn to be aware of their emotions, to identify and discuss them, become aware of their needs and be able to negotiate resolutions with other children and caregivers.LABORATORY SCHOOL The Children’s Center plays a unique role at the college. We operate as a demonstration site for students in the Early Childhood curriculum, Human Services curriculum, and the Dietetic Technology curriculum. Field students take part in internships under the supervision of the lead teacher. We view the field students as an integral part of our program. As teachers, we are constantly learning and reviewing practices and ideas in the education field. Having students as part of our team enhances the work that we do.ADMISSION The Virginia Marx Children’s Center at Westchester Community College provides services to children and families regardless of race, sex, handicap or national origin. For a child to be admitted to the Center parents must complete an enrollment packet. This packet includes:
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Toddlerhood is recognized as a unique and individual timeframe from that of infancy or preschool. The developmental tasks of toddlerhood are treated with respect and nurturing. Coming from the mindset that we “expect” toddlers to behave in certain ways, alleviates many of the issues commonly associated with this period of development.