Early Childhood Education Center
The Early Childhood Education Center's goal is to provide a high quality early childhood education program for infants, toddlers and pre-kindergarten children. The program's vision is based on research and best practices in early childhood education.
Our goal is to provide an educationally enriching, nurturing and safe environment with an emphasis on kindergarten readiness and long term success. Our goal is to encourage curiosity and build self- confidence in children through reading readiness, exploration and play. Teachers will facilitate exploration and nurture key social and emotional skills, engage children in activities that require cooperation and self-awareness, and encourage communication with peers. Through independent and group learning, children will gain the important personal and social skills needed for a successful transition into school.
Typical Activities
Activities are designed to encourage development through play and learning.
- Group Play: Circle time activities motivate child to express themselves through singing, dancing, games, music and language. Encouraging their self expression and building their confidence.
- Free Play: Children have a choice of a variety of learning centers to explore during free play using blocks, household and kitchen, dramatic play, dolls and accessories, play sets, art, science, library and music center, library, sand and water centers.
- Language: Nursery rhymes awareness, finger plays, stimulus pictures or objects to encourage listening, tuning into print, verbalization, reading to the children, and read aloud.
- Dramatic Play: Children learn to represent the real world as they play with dress up prop, role play and engage in puppetry developing their pro-social behaviors and language skills.
- Physical Play: Our playground, athletic field, garden, gym, fitness studio and water park provide diverse settings to engage in play. Children engage in a variety of physical activities promoting physical activity and positive social interaction.
- Computer: Through our computer lab and technology, age appropriate math and reading readiness skills are reinforced.
- Cultural: Through personal, family and community events such as birthdays, holidays, and cultural events, children will experience the rich diversity in the world around them.
Big Ideas for Little Learners
Ages 3-8 and Parents!
Big Ideas for Little Learners is a monthly workshop series held at the Kroc Center that explores book-based themes with children and their caregivers. We’ll read, create, and play together as we learn new ways of exploring books at home and as a family. Along the way, we’ll discover how each of us can help make the world a happier, more just, and equitable place.
Big Ideas for Little Learners is supported by the William Penn Foundation in partnership with the National Liberty Museum and the Salvation Army Kroc Center.
Thursday, October 7 • 4-6pm
Join us to read Red by Michael Hall and learn what it means to have respect for yourself and others. Then make your very own “Rainbow Respectacles” as a reminder to treat everyone with kindness.
Thursday, November 4 • 4-6pm
Join us to read Be a King: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s Dream and You by Carole Boston Weatherford and learn what it means to be responsible. Then make your very own “ML King Crown” to practice taking care of yourself, others, and the world around you.
Thursday, December 9 • 4-6pm
Join us to read Malala’s Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai and learn what it means to have perseverance in difficult times. Then make and use magic pencils of your own and explore how to shape a better world for yourself and others.
For more information, please contact Christina Cruz at 215 558 1511 or by email at Christina.Cruz@use.salvationarmy.org
Parent Resources
Enrolling your child in an early childhood education program is a big deal and comes with a lot of moving parts. We want you, as a parent, to be in the loop at all times. We ask that you please read through our comprehensive family handbook to get a look at what to expect from our program. If you have any questions, please give us a call at 215 - 558 - 1511.
Are you interested in enrolling your child? We want to hear from you! Please fill out the form below and a member of our staff will contact you shortly.