MISSION AND PHILOSOPHY

The mission of EMMA’S PLACE Child Development Center is to help each child develop to their fullest potential in a safe, caring and positive environment. We are SHAPING THE MINDS OF OUR FUTURE WORLD LEADERS…ONE STEP AT A TIME.

HOURS AND LOCATION

EMMA’S PLACE is open Monday through Friday, 6 AM to 6 PM. Our address is 334 Orange Street, Reading, PA 19602. We are located at the corner of Orange and Muhlenberg Streets in Southeast Reading. Contact us by email at emmas@berkswomenincrisis.org, or by phone at 610-396-0444.

TUITION, ENROLLMENT PROCEDURE AND REQUIRE PAPERWORK

Childcare at EMMA’S PLACE is available for children in their third year of life to age 12.

Tuition is $140.00/week for full-time preschool children and $95/week for part-time preschool children. $110.00/week for full-time school-age child and $95/week for part-time school-age child. Full-time is considered any stay over 5 hours per day. Tuition includes breakfast, lunch and two snacks for pre-school children and breakfast and a snack for school-age children. We contract with Reading School District for a delicious hot lunch each day.

Our enrollment process is extremely easy! We ask you to do the following:

• Visit Emma’s Place, meet our staff, and tour the facility!
• Sit down with our director, discuss your needs and expectations!
• Complete an application for your child, including emergency contact numbers.
• Complete a CACFP Nutrition Form
• Complete an Emergency Medical Form

Bring a copy of your child’s Immunization Record from your Pediatrician, along with your child’s latest physical record. (NOTE: The State Health Department will not allow children to attend public care without record of their immunizations, or a Pediatrician’s note excusing your child from immunizations due to religious preference.)

MEALS/NUTRITION

EMMA'S PLACE participates with the Child And Adult Care Food Program through the Pennsylvania Department of Education. We follow the State Nutrition guidelines for all meals and snacks. Specific attention is paid to food allergies and religious preferences.

CURRICULUM

Each day in our center is an adventure as students explore their world and learn many new ideas. The environment has been designed to encourage the children to discover concepts as they engage in the exciting activities that have been developed to allow young minds to meet self-selected objectives in learning.

The center has been organized into specific learning areas. Each area is comprised of a variety of learning materials specific to that subject area. In addition to offering so many choices for learning, displays focusing on special exhibits have been developed to invite the children to explore concepts. The highlights are changed regularly to continue to challenge children and to maintain their interests.

Children are allowed to be self-selective in their explorations. Activities are not confined to a particular time frame.

Diversity is celebrated at the center. Children are given the opportunity to examine the customs of various parts of the world throughout the year as they celebrate in small world celebrations. We also have a vast array of multi-cultural materials available for the children to use and experience.

The curriculum is integrated into monthly and weekly themes. These themes are explored across the various subject areas. Literature is connected to each of the subject areas to encourage the children’s developing reading abilities.

Emma’s Place presents a dynamic, fun environment which stimulates discovery, thought and understanding through interactive exhibits, programs and explorations in the arts, sciences and humanities; and it’s just for kids!

ACCREDITATION

In June of 2007, Emma's Place was awarded four Keystone STARS, representing achievement of the highest level of performance standards by the Pennsylvania Early Learning Keys to Quality. Keystone STARS is an initiative of the Office of Child Development which seeks to improve, support, and recognize the continuous quality improvement efforts of early learning programs in Pennsylvania. "STARS" stands for the necessary components of performance improvement and excellence: Standards, Training, Assistance, Resources and Support

REQUIRED ITEMS

• The staff requires that each child have a change of clothes that remains in the cubby in the event of an accident or spill. This policy includes children of all ages. Please be sure to replace that set of clothing if your child uses it.
• If your child must take medicine during the day, you must complete the required information in the medication log in order for the staff to be authorized to administer it. Any prescription medication must be in the original container labeled with the child’s name. If your child is diagnosed with asthma, there is an additional form to complete to help with medication needs.
• Young children who attend during naptime will be given a mat on which to rest. Your child may wish to have a special toy, blanket or pillow. We encourage you to send this for her/him.

TRANSPORTATION

Children are walked to Amanda Stout Elementary School during the school year for children attending school there. This is the only school we transport children to unless a child receives bus transportation for specialized learning.

COMPUTER LEARNING

All students enrolled at Emma’s Place have the opportunity to use our computers. We have a Cyberstart Computer with Internet Access which is “kid friendly.” All computer programs are designed to encourage individual development and basic computer skills. We have also integrated the Successmaker Program into our curriculum for our school age program. This program is used in the Reading School District and is a wonderful enrichment for our children. 

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF YOUR PRESCHOOL CHILD ~

The preschool program at Emma’s Place encourages development and learning through a carefully structured schedule designed with your child in mind. There is an appropriate blend of free-play, center activities, quiet play, art, and outdoor fun to help your child grow, develop, and enjoy the world we live in!

6:00 am - 7:30 am Free-play
7:30 am – 8:00 am Breakfast time
8:00 am – 9:00 am Free-play
9:15 am – 9:30 am Journal time
9:30 am – 10:00 am Circle Time, complete with our favorite story
10:00 am – 10:15 am Hand washing and Snack Time!
10:15 am – 11:45 am Art and Centers
11:45 am – 12:00 pm Outside Play
12:00 pm – 12:30 pm Hand washing and Lunch Time
12:45 pm – 2:45 pm Rest time listening to soothing music
3:00 pm – 3:15 pm Hand washing and Snack Time
3:15 pm – 6:00 pm Outside Play and Free play

Our main preschool program occurs during the morning hours. We ask that your child is present between the hours of 9:00 and 12:00 to take full advantage of the excellent program our staff prepares for the children.
The schedule gives the children the opportunity to be involved in both large group time within circle time, snack time, and outside play. They also have time for small groups when they are exploring the learning centers. The staff facilitate the learning centers and activities are planned to incorporate science, math, and language arts.

Gross motor muscles are exercised each either outside if weather permits, or indoors in the classroom. Children also use their listening skills during story time and quiet time in the listening center.

Lunch is at noon and consists of a hot meal from the food service department of Reading School District. Following lunch the children have rest time, when they relax to quiet music as they receive backrubs from the teachers. Following rest time the children have a snack, outside play, and free choice time in the large discovery room.

STAFF INFORMATION

The director of Emma’s Place supervises overall program management and the teaching staff.

The teaching staff is responsible for developing activities in each individual classroom. They are responsible for the instruction and care of the children assigned to their group. Close bonds are often developed with the teachers that your child interacts most with.

Assistant teachers are under the supervision of the teacher and the director. Their responsibility is to assist in providing a caring and nurturing environment for the children assigned to their class.

We participate in the Foster Grandparent Program and our children enjoy the benefits of having a “grand mom” around to help in their classroom. We also have interns or volunteers from time to time who work with direct supervision from the teacher in charge of a particular room.

We maintain a 6:1 child to staff ratio. This enables us to give each child individual attention and support as they learn and grow.