Hilltop+Community+Children's+Center



Hilltop Community Children's Center, formerly St. Canice Child Care Center, was licensed by the Department of Public Welfare September 2nd, 1988, and has a current capacity to serve 100 children. Because we emphasize quality child care, we will serve a mazimum of 70 children. At present, we serve children from infancy to thirteen years of age, Monday thourgh Friday, from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. year round. We are located at the corner of Knox Avenue and Orchard Place. We have an Infant Room for six infants from 6 weeks to one year of age, a Younger Toddler Room for eight children, one to two year olds, an Older Toddler Room for eight children aged two to three, a Pre-School Room for sixteen children aged three, four, and five. The children are separated by younger and older pre-school groups and on the second floor we have a pre-kindergarten program for nine older four and five year olds in the summer. During the school year, we provide a Kindergarten before and after school program for 9 children. Hilltop serves approximately twenty three School-Age children from six to thirteen years of age. We offer full day, and before and after school care. Each group of children has their own playroom, a separate art room, nap room, breakfast, lunch, and snack room, and indoor and outdoor recreating areas. Our schedule is consistent and yet flexible enough to address the needs of each individual child. Philosophy We believe in providing a safe, nurturing, and educational environment for children where their emotional, intellectual, physical, and social needs are met. Our staff is trained and they are caring individuals who recognize the uniqueness of each child, treating them with respect and serving as positive adult role models. Our work extends beyond the child into the family itself where we hope to form an alliance with parents in raising healthy, happy children. Parents are welcome to visit the Center and participate in any events or activities your child is involved in, as well as participate in our parent support group which meets each week. We are here to assist families in their most important, and sometimes most difficult role -- that of a parent. We believe in children learning primarily thourgh their play, and our schedule reflects a consistent, structured day where developmentally appropriate practice is our standard. Fifty percent of your children's capacity to learn is achieved by the age of five, which is not only their intellectual development, but their social, physical, and emotional development as well, which is why our program is designed the way it is to meet all aspects of growing your young children. Additionally, our Center addresses self-help skills for your child such as toilet training, bathrooming, cleanliness/personal hygiene, nutrition, proper use of eating utensils, and manners at mealtimes.

During my student teaching time, I have been working with our preschoolers. They are all four and five years of age. One of the best experiments that I have done with the children is called Blubber Glove.The children placed their hand in a bag of crisco before submerging it into cold water. They were amazed that the crisco "blubber" kept their hands warm. The children related this experience to different animals. [|lep 2.doc]

My second favorite activity was called "Blow it up". The children tried different ways to blow ballons up. They could use their mouth, vinegar and baking soda, and an air pump. The children are constantly asking to do it again. The only change that I would make is to use bigger balloons so that they do not pop.

[|L.E.P. 8.doc]

Some useful links that I am familiar with:

[|www.childcarelounge.com] (This link provides online professional development trainings along with a bunch of useful free information.

[|www.pg-ses.com] (This link provides information on the Pyramid model along with tons of different techniques to try for unwanted behaviors.

The following is a useful document for cooperative games: