Child Development Center

Director: Mary Foster
Phone: 303.797.5678
E-mail: mary.foster@arapahoe.edu

Download our new brochure about the Child Development Center.

Who We Are

The Arapahoe Community College Child Development Center is a nonprofit childcare center. We are licensed by the Colorado Department of Human Services for 55 children between the ages of 2½ to 12 years old.

Our Center participates in the Colorado Department of Health Adult and Child Food Program. We serve a morning snack, a nutritious lunch, and an afternoon snack, all of which is according to the Colorado Department of Health guidelines.

The Center is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The Center also holds a four-star Qualistar rating – the highest quality rating given by Qualistar. (www.qualistar.org)

Our Mission

The ACC Child Development Center provides high quality, flexible, convenient, moderately priced childcare services for ACC students, staff, faculty and the community on a space available basis.

Philosophy

We believe children learn by using their senses to explore their environment. We also believe children learn through play with hands on experiences.

The Center’s curriculum encourages child initiated, hands-on learning activities that stress problem solving, experimentation and positive interactions. Daily opportunities are provided for the children to gain concrete experiences leading to self-knowledge, self-respect, and a sense of independence.

Art media is provided in a variety of ways to express and promote the child’s creativity. We use The Story Book Journey curriculum to promote early literacy and modified High Scope curriculum to develop individual skills and goals.

Registration

Pre-registration is held in coordination with College semester registration. Pre-registration allows current Center clients to register for the following semester first. New family registration goes to students, staff, and faculty. Community registration is on a space available basis.

Staff

The Center is staffed with Early Childhood Educators who are knowledgeable and committed to maintaining “Best Practices” as defined by the Colorado Department of Education Quality Standards, the National Association for Education of Young Children, and Qualistar.

Head Teachers and Group Leaders are responsible for developing weekly lesson plans, daily instruction, individual assessments, and providing guidance and support to both children and parents.

Parent Involvement

Parents are invited to observe at any time and are encouraged to attend Parent Workshops, Family Programs and join the Center Advisory Board. Parent/Teacher conferences are scheduled with your child’s teacher at the end of each semester where children assessments are shared.

Fees

Children are accepted in the following formats:

• Full-day (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
• Half-day (8 a.m. – 12 p.m.)
• Preschool (9 a.m. – 12 a.m.)
• Afternoon hourly slots combined with a.m. half-day/preschool schedule.

For specific hours and rates, refer to the following documents:

• Toddler
  Community rate schedule
  ACC student, faculty, staff rate schedule
• Preschool
  Community rate schedule
  ACC student, faculty, staff rate schedule

For more information or to arrange a visit, contact the ACC Child Development Center at 303.797.5678.

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