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What the future holds
In 1999 the Center became accredited by the National Association for
the Education of Young Children. Next year the process begins again
to renew the accreditation. This higher standard meant $40,000 in renovation
in 1998 to the Center, a two-year intensive self-study and new lower
teacher to student ratios.
It's also meant little changes like introducing pets into
the center. That's why there is an aquarium outside the kitchen, a Russian
tortoise named Olga and a boa (relax, it's a mere 15 inches) in the
Blue Room. Accreditation also requires the Center to pay special attention
to multi-cultural activities. This means bringing in dolls to represent
many ethnic groups, ensuring that pictures in the rooms show diverse
children and stories from many cultures fill the books on the shelves.
The Children's Center evening program, which began in
1997, continues to grow along with the number of students enrolled in
evening classes. Right now there is a waiting list but the Center will
be hiring a second head teacher for evening and plans to increase the
classrooms from two to three in the evening. Longino believes the number
of parents using evening child care is related to changes in the economy.
With more parents working in the day, only evening hours are left for
school.
The Children's Center has looked into adding a program
for infants. It's not likely to happen soon because it requires more
equipment, more staff and more space. An infant program would mean adding
things like cribs, high chairs and infant toys. It also requires a much
lower caregiver/child ratio-one caregiver for every three infants less
than 18 months of age. But that hasn't stopped parents from asking about
it. Some have even called to put their yet-to be-born babies on the
waiting list just in case.
An infant program would allow mothers to return to school
sooner. Right now parents have to wait until their children are 18 months
old to enroll in the Center. It also would provide valuable practicum
experience for students in the Childcare Professional program at WCC
who are required to devote 16 hours in two semesters working with children.
Since its beginning 32 years ago, the Children's Center
has adapted to changes in education, in employment and in family. But
what has remained unchanged is the security it offers parents working
on an education. There is real peace of mind in knowing your child is
well cared for and close-by. As one parent put it so succinctly, "I
love the program otherwise I wouldn't leave my son here.
LINK-UP winter 2001, Volume XXIII, Issue Number
By Laura Lyjak
Return to About Us page.
Trudi Hagen, Director
Family Education Building, 4800 East Huron River Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48105-4800
Ph: 734-973-3539
Email:
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