Program

The MSU Child Development Center offers a year-round early education program for Bozeman area young children, ages 3 through 5 years, and their families. It is also a university laboratory site for research and learning used by MSU students, faculty, and community members. The center is licensed by the State of Montana and is in the process of being reaccredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Mission Statement

The mission of the MSU Child Development Center is: to serve as a quality early education center for preschool aged children and their families in our community; to be an inclusive setting for children and their families from diverse cultures,lifestyles, and abilities, including special needs; to be a laboratory site for MSU students involved in research and study; and to be a model of best practices for the Montana early education profession.

Philosophy

The MSU Child Development Center is a community of learners who are committed to a high-quality, developmentally appropriate program. Learning at the Child Development Center occurs through active investigations, discovery, and interactions with materials, peers and adults. The physical, cognitive, social, emotional and

creative development of each individual is essential to the well-being of our community of learners. The following statements reflect our philosophy: learning takes place in a community and includes the child, parent, and teacher; children, parents and teachers must work together and share in the process of constructing knowledge; learning is deep and meaningful when it is intentional and meaningful to the child; children build a positive self-concept, and build emotional intelligence when involved in relationships with others; opportunities for building relationships and shared learning are necessary; real materials and children’s own interests are the most valuable and important subjects for projects; the environment is a tool for learning.

MSU Child Development Center Values

• A community of learners who collaborate with one another; take ownership for their learning and take part in the well-being of the community
• Diversity and respect for self, others, and the environment
• Curiosity about the world

Fostering Learning

Program Goals

We identify the following dispositions as essential outcomes for children:

• Social-Emotional Development: Children develop a sense of self; ability to self-regulate; work and play in a caring community; exhibit pro-social behaviors
• Creative Arts: Children gain an appreciation of art; an ability to produce art; gain an understanding of elements of art; develop an appreciation of music; joy and ability in producing music and an understanding of musical elements; an appreciation of dramatics; ability to take part in dramatic play; role play and recall stories and characters.
• Language and Literacy: Children use language abilities to understand and express feelings, needs and ideas; develop phonological awareness and print awareness; and begin to acquire an interest in and ability to produce print for the purpose of conveying ideas.
• Mathematics and Numeracy: Children build an understanding of numeracy relationships; develop the ability to classify and compare; recognize patterns and are able to reproduce them; use geometric shapes and understand directional words; gain understanding of measurements and measurement relationships; solve problems using critical thinking skills, observation, formulating questions and possible solutions
• Physical Development and Health: Children gain fine, gross motor, and sensory abilities; understand concepts of movement; develop an enjoyment of motor and sensory experiences; gain personal health and safety practices; develop a respect for differences.
• Science: Children learn to use the scientific method of investigation: formulate questions; make predictions; engage in experimentation, observation and recording; form conclusions; communicate results.
• Social Studies: Children gain an awareness of time; experience and respect rights, responsibilities and roles; gain an awareness of the physical world; recognize diversity; develop an awareness of community.

Curriculum

The CDC curriculum encourages investigative learning: It allows young children to learn while they actively explore, discover, and interact with each other, teachers, and materials during their work and play. Our daily schedule includes indoor and outdoor play time for

both quiet play and active movement, as well as individual and group activities. The classroom is arranged in a variety of learning centers to permit freedom of movement and child-initiated choices. We utilize materials that are real, concrete and meaningful to the children.

Activities and events at the CDC reflect the interests and cultures of the children and families in our community. During the morning and afternoon meetings teachers first discuss the activities or events that they have planned based on their observations of children’s interests and strengths. Children are then asked to think about what they plan to do during the following work and play time. As each child voices their plan, others listen and may adjust their own plans for the day.

Holidays 

Children are encouraged to recognize and respect each other's differences and similarities such as gender, race, culture, ideas and abilities. Holidays reinforce the traditions and beliefs in which children live and are the right and responsibility of each individual family to uphold and celebrate in their own way. Holidays are recognized at the CDC but not celebrated with planned activities.

Daily Schedule

Enrollment

Children ages 3 years old through 5 years are eligible to attend the Child Development Center. Children are expected to be able to use the bathroom with only “rare accidents.” Enrollment is open to all children in the Bozeman community, however, children of MSU faculty and staff are given preference for enrollment.

The enrollment process consists of the following steps to help make the transition to school a positive, comfortable experience:

• Parents obtain and complete an enrollment application, available from the director, in the classroom, or via email.
  When the enrollment application form is completed, the child's name is placed on a waiting list.
• Parents are notified when an opening occurs and invited to take a tour of the center, meet the teachers and receive enrollment forms.
• Enrollment forms must be completed and on file before the child attends the Child Development Center.
• The child’s primary teacher holds a conference with parents and chld to begin the process of relationship building with the child and family. Enrollment forms may be reviewed and discussed, parents have an opportunity to ask questions about our program.

Withdrawals From the Program

Parents are required to give at least two weeks notice before withdrawing from the program or changing schedules. Refunds will not be made for any tuition paid within the two-week notice period. The first month’s tuition is non-refundable.

The CDC is licensed by the State of Montana and is required to meet all licensing standards. If a parent has a complaint about the quality of care provided, they may call the licensor at 522-2271.

Days and Hours of Operation

The Child Development Center is open year round, Monday through Friday from 7:30 am until 5:30 pm. Parents may choose to enroll their child on a full-time basis or, if openings are available, two or three days per week. Options for enrollment in sessions include:

• 7:30 am—12:30 pm (half-day mornings)
• 12:30 pm—5:30 pm (half-day afternoons)
• 7:30 am—5:30 pm (full day)

The center is operated on a full-year schedule and is closed only on university holidays.

Tuition

Upon enrollment parents sign a tuition contract to pay tuition either monthly or semi-monthly (parents’ choice). Tuition checks should be made payable to the MSU Child Development Center and placed in the tuition envelope in the classroom. Parents do not receive monthly billing for tuition; payment is due monthly by the date reflected on the tuition contract. Tuition rates are constant each month and take into consideration holidays and at least 10 vacation/sick days for children.

Extra Fees

Parents who pick up children after the session is over will be charged a late fee of $5.00 for the first 5 minutes, then $1.00 for each additional minute late. The late fee is expected to be paid at pick-up.

A late fee of $2.00 per day will be assessed for tuition payments that are more than one week late.

Staff 

All Child Development Center teachers are registered on the Montana Early Care and Education Practitioner Registry and Career Path. Lead teachers have bachelors degrees in early childhood education or a closely related field, and experience in teaching preschool-age children. All teachers maintain a current first aid and infant and child CPR certificate.

Parent Involvement

Parent involvement and communication is vital to children’s success in our program. Parents are asked during the enrollment process to consider ways they might like to participate. There are a variety of ways to be involved, including, but not limited to, reading to children in the classroom, participating in special events such as field trips, sharing ideas for activities, leading an activity with the children, eating lunch with the children, or helping to prepare a snack.

Parents are always welcome to visit the classroom or to observe from the observation booth where they can sit and enjoy the action without being seen by their child.

A parent room and bulletin board are located in the entrance of the center. The bulletin board holds information about children’s activities and the weekly menu. Books on a variety of topics of interest to parents are available for check out in the parent room.
Newsletters are available each month, parent meetings occur on a monthly basis, and two family potluck suppers are held each semester.

Meal Service

The MSU Child Development Center participates in the Child and Adult Care Food Program and provides nutritious meals and snacks that meet the USDA Food Program Guidelines. Breakfast is served in the morning, lunch at midday, and a snack during the mid afternoon. All food menus are posted on the parent bulletin board. Food is served “family style” so that children learn self-help skills and healthy nutrition habits while socializing with children and teachers.

The philosophy of the Child and Adult Care Food Program and the MSU CDC is to provide a variety of healthy, interesting food so that children are able to make nutritious choices; become responsible for their own healthy eating habits; and have an enjoyable eating experience.

Please inform teachers of any food allergies and doctor’s recommendations.

In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability.

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410, call (800) 795-3272, or click here.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.