Southeast Children’s Fund Child Development Center

The first five years of a child’s life are critical to his/her lifelong development. These early experiences influence the development of neural connections that form the basis for language, reasoning, problem solving, social skills, behavior and emotional health. Thus, a high quality child development program is crucial to children’s success in school and in life.

The Child Development Center provides that quality child care -- for children ages six months to five years. The Center has a current enrollment of 62 children.

And, the Center has NAEYC Accreditation.

Our child development program offers:

Small classroom sizes,

Low teacher to child ratio

Highly trained staff

Year-round services - open 50 weeks out of the year

Our child development program promotes language and literacy development as well as the child’s cognitive, physical, social and emotional growth.

A rich learning environment with plenty of learning materials and opportunities for children’s growth and development.

A safe and secure environment with plenty of space for the growing child

Field trips to enlarge the child’s view of the world

A parent involvement component so parents can contribute to their children’s learning.

The Curriculum:

We use the Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers & Twos and the Creative Curriculum for Preschoolers to guide classroom structuring and instruction. It correlates highly with national and District Early Learning Standards. Our teachers use activities and strategies that help children to develop positive social/emotional, physical, cognitive, and language skills. They also help children to develop content knowledge essential to later academic success. Through frequent class observations and the use of an online assessment tool, Creative Curriculum.net, our teachers and caregivers make sure that activities and instruction match each child’s developmental level.

The Staff:

All of our teachers and caregivers hold at least a Child Development Associate Credential -- some have postsecondary degrees. All are required to attend in-service training to keep their skills current. All have received training in the use of the Creative Curriculum. The teacher to child ratio is 1 to 3.5 for infants and younger toddlers; and 1 to 8 for older toddlers and preschool age children.

Nutrition and Health:

We provide nutritionally balanced and attractive meals for breakfast and lunch and for snack time. Lessons in health and hygiene are incorporated in the daily instructional routine for older toddlers.

Before and After Care:

For parents who must be at work early or do not leave work early enough to pick up their children at the regular end of the day, SCF Child Development Center opens its doors as early as 6:00 a.m. and extends the day to 6:00 p.m. to accommodate these parents.

Reasonable Rates. Call for tuition information.

Child Care Subsidies are also available. The staff at Southeast Children’s Fund helps parents obtain the funding they need to pay for child care.

Call the Center’s Director at (202) 561-5500 for more information.