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• ACCREDITATION / LICENSING
• FAQs

Programs

SMCC believes strong, stable families raise confident, active learners. That's why our service scope focuses on three primary objectives:

• Early Childhood Development - Creating opportunities for children to develop the appropriate skills to be successful in kindergarten & beyond
• Family Development - Helping families identify their strengths, reach their goals and develop strong family relationships
• Early Intervention Services - Providing support systems and resources to help children and families overcome barriers to success

Early Childhood Development

At Stella Maris, nothing is more important than the children. Each child served is unique and has feelings that need to be nurtured. This is why we provide a comprehensive curriculum that considers the distinctive make up of each child. Our Infant / Toddler program implements Missouri Project Construct curriculum and our Preschool program implements Reggio Emilia® combined with Missouri Project Construct curriculum.

About Our Curriculum Approach

Research shows that young children learn best through direct sensory encounters and not through a formal academic process. In other words, they learn best through hands-on experiences, especially play, and when their emotional needs are met.

All SMCC programs are developmentally appropriate, as outlined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, and feature:

• A wide variety of materials with which children can play and experiment
• Children making choices about activities
• Teachers with training in early childhood education
• Lesson plans that take into account each child's interests and abilities so that each child can experience success and joy in learning

Stella Maris Child Center provides progressive and innovative programs that allow children multiple opportunities for discovery and experimentation. Activities and materials are designed to emphasize concrete experiential learning to achieve the following objectives:

• Foster positive self concept
• Encourage cognitive development through reasoning, questioning and experimentation
• Enhance social skills
• Develop language and literacy skills
• Foster physical development and skills
• Demonstrate appropriate nutritional, health and safety procedures
• Encourage creative expression and appreciation for the arts

Family Development

It's our philosophy to meet the needs of the family as a whole unit. This is why our service approach involves ensuring that we offer support systems that are geared toward strengthening the entire family. We believe that this is vital to a child's developmental success. At SMCC we are committed to providing programs designed to enhance parenting skills and promote stronger family relationships. These programs include:

• HeadStart and Early HeadStart - Funded by the YWCA, these programs provide additional parenting education and services to families who meet the necessary guidelines.
• Parents as Teachers in the Child Care Setting - Parent educators meet with the parents of children enrolled at Stella Maris to discuss child development and provide regular screenings at no charge.
• M.A.D.E. - Men Making A Difference Everyday® - this program is designed to encourage adult males to become involved in their childrens' lives. Male role models directly support and enhance the lives of the children. The program encourages fathers, uncles, older brothers and other male relatives to be positive role models and provides them with opportunities to participate in monthly activities at the center.

Early Intervention Services

At SMCC we are aware of the barriers that pose threats to optimal success for children and families from low income homes. This is why we offer additional support services to help identify and address potential obstacles as early as possible. These include:

• Yearly Child Development Assessments and Screenings
• Annual Hearing and Vision Screenings
• Routine Health Screenings
• Disability Services (Individualized Family Service Plans / Individualized Education Plans)
• Home Visits and Parent Conferences
• Family Assessments
• Case Management support for families
• Community resources and referrals for families

For more comprehensive information about SMCC programs, click to view and/or download the Stella Maris Child Center Parent Handbook.