The environment of Grace Pre School Day Care Center is very nurturing and intellectually stimulating. The program provides an age appropriate early childhood setting that takes into consideration the developmental levels of each child. All teachers are certified early childhood N-6 and understand age appropriate activities. Children are allowed to self-select educational toys and books that are appealing to them. The tables, chairs and furniture are age appropriate for children's ease in handling and overall movement. Educational materials promote and encourage independence and resourcefulness on the part of each child. The physical environment of colorful posters, wall charts, and
scientific materials motivate and encourage reading literacy and fluency in all subjects areas. Books and materials are displayed in an appealing manner. 

Group Size/Adult-Child Ration

Small groups of 8:1 ratio provides the necessary individualized attention assessment for children and ensure that all support can be quickly provided. Teachers assistants as well as community volunteers and parents provide additional support to further enhance children's talents and skills and serve as a basis for providing enrichment activities. 

Staff Qualifications and Staff Development

The teaching staff is certified. They receive on-going staff development in order to stay current in all trends and methods in teaching. The extensive educational experience and training of our staff members and their long-term employment at Grace Pre School Day Care Center (with approximately 1% turnover) enable children to have a consistent and reliable environment. 

Curriculum and Assessment

Our children is developmentally appropriate and designed to meet the child's cognitive levels as well as the total child. It is modeled after the High Scope Research Foundation. The program is child oriented. The children are able to work in small groups and do various activities. Teachers and children have an opportunity to talk about the plan for the day. The children's ideas and suggestions are welcomed in our program. We believe that children should have some input about the things they are learning in the classroom. Daily observations by teachers allow them to assess the needs of the children. 

Continuity

Children's needs are a priority in our program. We identify and refer children for special services in our community. Parents are encouraged to work with us on helping the child. When children are ready to leave our program, parents are assisted in identifying the schools they want their child to attend. There is also a dialogue with the school's principal and the day care director about the admission process for the school. Our teachers have been with us for over ten years. They are committed in the education of young children. This long term employment lends itself to stability in the lives of the children. Many of our preschool children return for our after school program when they graduate from kindergarten. This supports the continuity for children and families. 

Comprehensive Services

The center provides comprehensive services for children and families. Children are required to be fully immunized before they enter our program. Parents whose children are not immunized are referred to clinics where they can get help at little or no cost. Lead screening is done in conjunction with Caledonian Hospital. There is a nurse on staff who is there to make sure that all the children's medicals are up to date and that the children are fully immunized. We provide nutrition services by offering the children three meals a day. There are many linkages with
other agencies in the community such as Lakou Kakay a Haitian Mental Health Services Center. Parents are referred there if they need mental services. We also have an after school program which serves in the community. 

Parent Participation

Parents participation plays an integral part in our program. parents are welcomed at anytime. Parents participate in the decision making process of their child. We offer parents workshops on topics that are of interest to parents. At the beginning of the school year a parents interest questionnaire is done, and parents can voice their concerns and comments about our program. There is also a newsletter that informs parents about upcoming events in our program and the community. Parents also serve as volunteers in the classrooms and various components in the center.