The Learning Community

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WHERE WE COME TOGETHER TO CREATE, PLAY, GROW & LEARN

WELCOME FAMILIES! Hello and thank you for your interest in our center! At the Learning Community, we are committed to providing a high-quality childcare & Kindergarten readiness program.

Let me introduce myself: My name is Emily and I am the Director of Child Care at the Wallingford Family YMCA. I grew up in Wallingford and the Y has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I have worked here for over half of my life and I am amazed at the commitment of the staff here. Through special events, book fairs, picnics, parades, community service, and every day communication, teachers & families work together to foster growth & development in our children. As you will see all throughout this brochure, our families are very happy here and have brought many generations to TLC for childcare.

I am always available to answer any questions you may have regarding your child’s care. I can be reached by phone at 203-697-2150, by email at ewalter@wallingfordymca.org and my door is always open!

I look forward to learning and growing with your little ones!

Emily Walter Director of Child Care

WHAT IS A FAMILY?

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ABOUT US

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CENTER HISTORY & INFORMATION OUR GOALS & PHILOSOPHY ABOUT THE YMCA

OUR CLASSROOMS

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INFANT TODDLER TWO’S PRESCHOOL KINDERGARTEN READINESS

OUR BENEFITS PROGRAM ENHANCEMENTS OUTDOOR PLAY QUALITY TEACHERS SECURITY SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE

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WHAT IS A FAMILY?

There are all sorts of families.

Some have just a mommy or just a daddy,

some live with an uncle or aunt,

some live with their grandparents and some live with foster parents.

Families are the places where values are formed, love is learned, self-image is developed and lifelong relationships are established. Here at the Learning Community, we include all families. More than just a place to play, we provide experiences to help entire family units cope, grow, communicate and care for each other. We maintain and strengthen what starts at home, giving all kinds of families the support they need to succeed.

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CENTER HISTORY & INFORThe Learning Community (TLC), formerly known as Tot Time, was founded by the Wallingford Family YMCA in 1989. The need for expansion facilitated collaboration between the YMCA and Choate Rosemary Hall. Tot Time moved into the completely renovated Bronfman building in September 1994.

The center was renamed The Learning Community in 1995 and accommodates 80 full-time children. The new name is representative of the learning experienced by children, Choate Rosemary Hall students, parents and teachers together. The preschool serves as a laboratory for Choate students taking child development courses.

The Learning Community is open Monday-Friday from 7:00AM-6:00PM.

OUR PHILOSOPHY & GOALS We believe in the YMCA core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect & Responsibility. We promote these values among staff and encourage teachers to plan activities that reflect these core values. Children learn through play in a secure, predictable and stimulating environment with developmentally appropriate materials and activities.

Our goal is to promote the emotional, social, physical and intellectual development of each child while meeting the needs of families with consistent, nurturing adult relationships. We strive to help children resolve conflict, promote self-esteem and understand the importance of families, the community and to appreciate the diversity in people.

ABOUT THE YMCA The mission of the Wallingford Family YMCA is to strengthen the foundation of the community through programs, services & relationships that build a healthy spirit, mind & body.

We aim to be an effective resource & influential partner of the community by strengthening meaningful, caring relationships and promoting healthy, productive lifestyles for generations.

The Wallingford Family YMCA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit (charitable) organization.

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ABOUT US

INFANT ROOM

8 WEEKS-12 MONTHS The first year of your child’s life is an amazing time of growth and is a building block for future stages of development. Our infant program is designed to stimulate your baby’s cognitive, emotional and physical development. Our classroom is a warm and caring environment, filled with educational age-appropriate toys materials and books to encourage safe exploration.

The infant classroom is limited to eight children with two teachers to allow for individualized attention and care. We are dedicated to cleanliness: every infant has their own crib and toys & equipment are sanitized daily.

Regular communication between parents and staff is essential to providing the best experience possible for every child. At the end of each day, parents receive an Infant Daily Report that summarizes pertinent information such as feeding and diapering, any supply needs and activities their child experienced throughout the day.

“As a staff member at Choate, I greatly enjoy the benefit of having my children attend TLC. My son has been at the center since he was a year old and is now 4. My daughter has been there since she as 5 months old & is now 8 months and doing great. The convenience factor is huge. I save time when coming into work because I don't have to allow for driving time to and from off-site day care. Occasionally when the kids are out on walks I happen to see them when I’m out & about on campus—this is just a nice thing that happens sometimes and it’s great to see my kids in this element. I’d recommend TLC to anyone who is looking for a great daycare.”

- Steve

OUR CLASSROOMS

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TODDLER ROOM 12-24 MONTHS

Your toddler is asserting their independence in new ways every day. We recognize that children at his age may be at different stages of development and individualize our program to meet the needs of every child.

Toddlers learn through sensory experiences that enhance their cognitive, language, motor and social skills.

Your toddler is starting to develop friendships and gain confidence as they use their words and thoughts to interest with others. Your child will spend the day creating, exploring, listening to music & stories, singing, role playing and leaning! We believe that it is important for your toddler to express themselves creatively and are committed to providing opportunities and experiences to promote their unique skills and interests.

Our toddler classroom is limited to eight children with two teachers. Daily communication between parents and staff is essential to providing the best experience possible for every child. At the end of each day, parents receive a Toddler Daily Report that summarizes pertinent information such as feeding and diapering, any supply needs and activities their child experienced throughout the day.

SAMPLE DAILY SCHEDULE 7:00AM 7:45AM 8:15AM 9:00AM 9:30AM 10:00AM 11:00AM 11:45AM 12:00PM 2:15PM 2:45PM 3:00PM 3:30PM 4:00PM 4:30PM

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Arrival & Free Play Group Activities Circle Time Morning Snack Outdoor Play Art Lunch Quiet Story Time Rest Time Circle Time Afternoon Snack Outdoor Play Music & Movement Sensory Play Free Play & Pick Up

OUR CLASSROOMS

“I became a member of the TLC family when my daughter was just 4 months old and I had to return to work. I cannot express how much The Learning Community has helped her develop socially and how much she has learned over the years. From the infant room to the Pre-K room where my daughter is now, the staff have always been nurturing and knowledgeable. I am expecting to have the same experience with my son, who is now in the toddler room. He is learning so much and enjoys playing with his friends. I have no regrets on the decision to entrust TLC with my children.

- Colleen

TWO’S ROOM 24 MONTHS

Your two year old is entering a world of rapid development in many areas and is eager for attention & challenges. They are filled with energy & curiosity, and are developing a new sense of increasing independence. We are committed to providing your child with the resources and experiences to promote a readiness for the next step to Preschool!

Our teachers provide the structure and guidance your child needs throughout the day as they learn to share, get along with others and perform tasks that require a longer attention span.

More than just daycare, we include listening to stories, singing songs, playing games and participating in creative expression to help your child develop language & vocabulary skills, as well as movement & sensory motor skills. When your child starts to show an interest in using the toilet, we will partner with you to develop an appropriate plan of action for toilet training.

Our two’s classroom is limited to eight children with two teachers. Daily communication between parents and staff is essential to providing the best experience possible for every child. At the end of each day, parents receive a Two’s Daily Report that summarizes pertinent information such as feeding and diapering, any supply needs and activities their child experienced throughout the day.

SAMPLE DAILY SCHEDULE 7:00AM 8:45AM 9:00AM 9:30AM 10:45AM 11:00AM 11:45AM 12:00PM 2:15PM 2:45PM 3:00PM 3:30PM 4:30PM 5:00PM

Arrival & Free Play Morning Snack Circle Time Outdoor Play Music & Movement Lunch Quiet Story Time Rest Time Teacher Directed Activity Afternoon Snack Outdoor Play Free Play Story Time & Tabletop Toys Free Play & Pick Up

“TLC has been a great match for our family, and my daughter & son have really enjoyed their experiences. Their teachers are attentive to their needs, creative in their activities and responsive to our questions. They get the kids out as much as possible by going to walks, playing on the playground & gym and running on the fields. We have been very happy with TLC!” - Angela

OUR CLASSROOMS

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PRESCHOOL ROOM 3-4 YEARS

Your 3 year old is learning through exploring, using all the senses. Through play your child is developing their reasoning skills and will get very involved in dramatic play. Language for your 3 year old is taking off. They are learning many new words and at this age begin to initiate conversations. We will encourage their curiosity of letters and numbers through many fun learning activities in the Preschool classroom.

Children are engaged in active learning and are able to make a variety of choices during their activities because we focus on process and not product. Ample materials are available to children to explore in the classroom under the watchful eye of their teachers.

Children discuss and share their observations and learning experiences with classmates & teachers.

The preschool classroom includes Choice Time, Small & Large Group Time, Art, Math & Literacy, Technology, Music & Movement, Cooking, Sand & Water Experiences and Toys & Games. The outdoor environment is designed to provide an extension to the classroom and allows various science and discovery experiments. The classroom is limited to twenty children with two teachers.

SAMPLE DAILY SCHEDULE 7:00AM 8:45AM 9:00AM 9:30AM 10:45AM 11:00AM 11:45AM 12:00PM 2:15PM 2:45PM 3:00PM 3:30PM 4:30PM 5:00PM

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Arrival & Free Play Morning Snack Circle Time Outdoor Play Music & Movement Lunch Quiet Story Time Rest Time Teacher Directed Activity Afternoon Snack Outdoor Play Free Play Story Time & Tabletop Toys Free Play & Pick Up

OUR CLASSROOMS

“We LOVE the Learning Community! The center develops a sense of community amongst the kids. They provide a nurturing environment where children are free to be themselves but also learn how to work with others, deal with conflict and mature. Our son made friendships with his classmates and really connected with all the loving teachers.�

- Erica & John

KINDERGARTEN READINESS 4-5 YEARS

At this age, your child can engage in longer periods of one on one teacher directed projects, group activities, and active play. Your 4 year old is building their knowledge of written language and math concepts. Your child will be prepared for Kindergarten through many learning opportunities from solving problems, investigating questions and creative artistic masterpieces.

Children are engaged in many learning experiences to help them prepare for Kindergarten. They will develop social skills, discover new things with hands-on science experiments, create art during craft time and learn from guest speakers & presenters. In the classroom, we cover colors, shapes, numbers, sequencing and important pre-reading skills like letter awareness and phonics.

Children also learn skills like pre-writing and how to make entries in a journal. Graduates will have the skills they need to succeed as independent, self-confident, curious learners who can work well with others.

SAMPLE DAILY SCHEDULE 7:00AM 8:15AM 9:00AM 9:20AM 10:00AM 11:00AM 11:45AM 12:00PM 2:15PM 2:30PM 3:00PM 3:45PM 4:30PM 5:00PM

Arrival & Free Choice Math Activities Circle Time - Shapes & Colors Morning Snack Outdoor Play Lunch Quiet Story Time Rest Time Circle Time - Letter Recognition Afternoon Snack Outdoor Play Journals Story Time & Tabletop Toys Free Play & Pick Up

“We’ve been so pleased our son’s experience with year in the Pre-K program. It has been amazing to see his development and we have loved how his teacher has kept journals and work samples to help us see his progression.

He comes home happy and tired!”

- Matt & Shannon

OUR CLASSROOMS

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PROGRAM ENHANCEMENTS & ENRICHMENT Parent communication is a vital part of the program. Teachers communicate with parents, both verbally and through daily notes. Parents are encouraged to visit their children during the day and share their skills and talents with classroom groups.

Other enhancements include:  Computer Time with Educational Games  Swim Lessons for Pre-K students  Family Events at TLC and the YMCA  Summer In-House Presenters  Community Visitors  Community Field Trips  Wallingford Public Library  Wallingford Police Department  Wallingford Fire Station

ENVIRONMENT The Choate-Rosemary Hall campus is perfect for long nature walks and allows the children to explore the outside world during all seasons.

Children also use MacGuire Gymnasium to run, jump, play and let loose their rambunctious energy!

We also have two large outdoor fenced playgrounds for all ages.

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OUR BENEFITS

OUR TEACHERS The Wallingford Family YMCA takes great please in creating a safe, healthy, exciting and stimulating learning environment at our child care centers. Our staff take great pride in the program they create and nurture. Particular care is taken to select staff who are not only caring and responsive to the young child, but who also enjoy the satisfaction of providing “excellence” in child care services and are motivated to help the center grow.

Our qualified, caring teachers are committed to best practices in education. Every employee is professionally screened (including child abuse registry, finger printing, references, physical, employment history, and child care training or education) before hiring and are well-supervised on the job. All employees are oriented to understand the mission of the YMCA and display the our Core Values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. All of our staff are certified in First Aid & CPR, in addition to attending continuing education and training classes. The result is a level of care that your child deserves and parents can expect.

SECURITY We have an open door policy and we welcome parents to visit the center anytime throughout the day. A security code on the one entrance door of the building enables only appropriate individuals to enter at will. All others must ring a doorbell and show valid identification to be authorized in the building.

SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE The Wallingford Family YMCA is a community based organization and strives not to turn anyone away due to lack of ability to pay. We believe in providing membership and program services to all who desire to participate. The YMCA’s Scholarship program, supported by our annual Community Support Campaign, uses all available resources to provide support to those who have financial need and qualify for assistance. Anyone may apply for financial assistance who lives or works in our service area. Within the resources available, each situation is carefully and confidentially reviewed by our committee to be sure there is a demonstrable need. The level of assistance is determined based on a sliding scale.

We ask that those applying for assistance apply for Care 4 Kids first. If you are need additional assistance, or are ineligible for Care 4 Kids and would like scholarship assistance from the YMCA, please complete a financial aid application available online at www.wallingfordymca.org or at either of our branches. Contact Tammi Mastroianni at 203-269-4497 x114 or tmastroianni@wallingfordymca.org for more information.

OUR BENEFITS

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Welcome to The Learning Community, where we come together to create, play, grow & learn!

At the Wallingford Family YMCA, we take pride in our child care programs led by highly qualified educators and skilled caregivers so you can have peace of mind while you work to help your family succeed.

Our use of primary caregivers for our infants encourages open communication with parents and helps bridge the gap between homes & the center. In an age-appropriate environment, our experienced teachers provide developmentally appropriate programs for each individual age group.

For the times you can’t be there yourself, we offer safe, affordable, high-quality care for children eight weeks to five years and support your efforts to nurture the healthy growth of your child.

TLC

CENTER PARKING

THE LEARNING COMMUNITY Choate Rosemary Hall Bronfman Building 112 Rosemary Lane Wallingford, CT 06492 203-697-2150

EAST SIDE BRANCH 81 South Elm Street Wallingford, CT 06492 203-269-4497

WALLINGFORD FAMILY YMCA www.wallingfordymca.org

WEST SIDE BRANCH 8 North Turnpike Road Wallingford, CT 06492 203-269-3348