Preschool / Child Care in Vancouver, WA

Kidspace Child Enrichment Center, Vancouver:
Located in Vanvouver, Clark County, Washington, Kidspace Child Enrichment Center is an exceptional preschool which offers excellent extended day programs and child care for both preschoolers and school-age children up to 5th grade during the school year and the summer. The preschool years are an essential time for developing social and emotional skills which are key to children’s success in life, as well as, school. Scientific evidence confirms over and over again how important social and emotional readiness is to a smooth kindergarten transition, early school success, and even adult accomplishments later in life.

KIDSPACE Child Enrichment Center programs are based upon developmentally appropriate practices for young children. Our goal is to provide a warm, stimulating environment for each child that encourages the development of academic, physical and socialization skills, independence and a positive self-image.

Our experienced teaching staff embraces the philosophy that all children learn by doing and have their own timing of social, physical, and intellectual development. Teachers encourage children (individually and in groups) to think for themselves, to make decisions, to work toward their own solutions, and express their own ideas and feelings.

KIDSPACE Child Enrichment Center’s staff and management recognize the importance of the home-school partnership. We have an open door policy and provide activities and events which promote the bond between home and school.

Our core beliefs are rooted in NAEYC’S 12 Principles of Child Development. Our philosophy, our mission statement, teaching practices and our daily curriculum are in line, not only with NAEYC’s position on the principles of child development, but also with NAEYC’S position statement on Developmentally Appropriate Practices.

NAEYC is the National Association for the Education of Young Children; a professional organization (of which we are members) and a very strong political advocate focusing on improving the quality of educational and developmental services for all children birth to eight years old.

Philosophy:
Our philosophy, learning environment and curriculum is influenced by the works of three prominent individuals in the field of early childhood education. They are Loris Malaguzzi (who founded the schools in a northern city of Italy named Reggio Emilia), Bev Bos, and Nellie Edge.

* Preschool and Day Care Programs for children from 3 years to 5th grade
* In our curriculum we focus on the four key areas of development - social and emotional, cognitive, physical, and language
* Before and After School Programs
* Extended Day Care available
* Summer Camp

The qualities we look for in our staff are:

* a deep knowledge and understanding of children’s needs and learning processes
* similar educational philosophies
* similar value systems
* a dedication to work hard in and out of the classroom
* a continuing thirst for knowledge
* easy to laugh
* flexibility
* takes time to enjoy a moment
* respectful and supportive of peers
* the will and the ability to adhere to guidelines set by the state

We have hired teachers with their Masters degree and teachers with no degree. What have we found, is that while a degree is very important, it not a pre-requisite for hiring. Classroom teaching experience and the qualities listed above are at the top of the list.

All of our staff must pass a thorough background check, be CPR and first aid certified, and meet all the minimum standards set by the State of Washington.