Curriculum School Age Program (K through grade 6)
The curriculum and teaching practices of our Before and After School Care program align with those of all YSCCC programs in the belief that children learn through play. The school age program is designed to allow children to decompress from their full day of school. Just like adults after working a full day, children also have different ways of relaxing and decompressing from their long day at school.
All lesson plans are aligned with the Ohio state standards but also Step Up to Quality and our Links to Learning curriculum. Children can freely choose their play activities, figuring out how things work, interacting with each other, trying out new roles, experimenting with their own ideas, building on their experiences and solving real problems. Making choices enables children to exercise their autonomy, to learn from self-imposed consequences and to know the world as a place of alternatives.
Children are provided with an environment that is responsive to each child’s developmental levels and abilities, and is based on their interests and supports their individual growth. Classroom activities, routines and procedure are individualized and child centered at the Children’s Center and school aged program.
Community Children's Center offers a variety of programs to help serve our community as well as surrounding school districts, YSCCC parents and Mills Lawn Elementary School parents. We ensure quality care for their children before and after regular school hours and when regular school activities are interrupted, as well as during the summer months.
During all these times, our programs provide:
Secure environment with enriching activities with an emphasis on the arts, community exploration, and daily living activities.
Emphasis on learning to be responsible, exercise self-control and develop social relationships.
Nurturing staff that help guide and support each child as a natural and individual learner and human being.
Before school care is available for Mills Lawn Elementary children ONLY from 6:30 AM - 7:45 AM. The students are picked up by YS buses and transported to Mills Lawn. Delayed openings and full day closings can be accommodated on a first come, first serve basis and MUST have a permission to transport on file prior to services rendered.
For one low rate of ($25) Wednesday Before-School Care is available for Mills Lawn children in the Mills Lawn Gymnasium from 6:30 AM –10 AM each late Wednesday for teacher in-services. Your child MUST be enrolled in the program in order to attend.
For Mills Lawn children, after school care is available at the Children's Center until 6 PM. This program is open to students K-6 and they will be bussed from Mills Lawn to the Children's Center. The program is designed to provide a safe, stimulating and educational environment that is child-centered. In general, the daily schedule includes organized activities, both indoors and outdoors, quiet/homework time, snack and free play.
Space is limited to 30 students.YSCCC provides care for Mills Lawn students and other surrounding school district on snow days, holidays, teacher days, delays and Mills Lawn closings. The child MUST be enrolled in our program in order to participate
The summer program runs eleven weeks from the end of the school year in early June to the beginning of school in late August. The program is not only designed to educate but to allow children to experience fun and stimulating outdoor activites as well. Activities include regular walks and exploration of the Village of Yellow Springs, visits to the Wellness Center pool and several field trips throughout the Dayton, Cincinnati and Columbus areas.
Swimming: Children routinely walk to the Wellness Center pool every Monday. The class leaves the center at 1:30 and stays at the pool until 3:00. The staff are required to observe and participate with children at all times.
Field Trips: Field trips are a regular part of our Summer program. Before each trip, a separate permission slip must be signed by the Parent/Guardian. Parents/Guardians will be informed of all details. Staff members routinely count students and perform role call. All safety rules and guidelines are addressed with children, staff and chaperones before boarding the bus. Each child wears identification with the Center’s names, address and phone number included. A first aid kit, a person trained in first aid and emergency forms and health records for each child will be available on all trips. Staff to child ratios will be maintained at all times and children will be supervised at all times.
When a child is not participating in a classroom field trip at a parent/guardian’s request, an alternate care will need to be arranged by the parent/guardian.