Story by Robin Setton Jeferson | Photos by Michael Schlueter
The 23 staff members of Elm Point Early Childhood Center are much more than babysitters. The 14 full-time teachers work to identify and encourage the strengths of each of the children who are left in their care.
Nancy Ebert is the director at Elm Point. She has been in the child care field for 25 years and at Elm Point for 13 years. Ebert said the center plays an important role in readying children for what’s next and that most childcare centers have changed dramatically over the last decade. “People are finally starting to recognize that we aren’t just babysitters. We try to get children ready for school. We are trying to determine any special needs the children may have and to use early intervention. School Districts and parents are realizing that the sooner they can get the help they need the better.”
Many times the issues children have are more social than anything else, she said. “A lot of issues children have are social, issues parents and others may not be aware of until they are in a group of kids.
Busy children in the Kindergarten Readiness Room
We don’t really need to focus on learning to read. Instead focus on helping kids learn to join a group and raise their hand to ask a question, to cooperate in a group situation.” But that’s not to say children don’t focus on academics at Elm Point.
Ebert said Elm Point Early Childhood Center recognizes the uniqueness of each child and through a teacher-guided, childdirected environment, children experience emotional, social, physical and cognitive development. “Our work represents an investment in the human resources of our community – especially our children. We believe that Elm Point can make a difference in a child’s life
But preparing parents for school is also important, Ebert said. “We focus on getting families involved, asking questions and knowing what’s going on by talking to the teachers in the center.”
At Elm Point, Ebert said children are “valued as unique individuals who thrive in an environment that encourages them to become creative, independent, responsible, self-directed adults who can make decisions for themselves. This nurturing environment includes the relationships of the staff, parents, and children growing, working, and learning together.”
Elm Point offers full or part time enrollment for ages six weeks to 12 years as well as before and after school care for the Orchard Farm School district.
