Child Development Center

The care and education of your child is one of the most important decisions you will make. 

At Polk St. Child Development center, we offer a Christian-based program that encourages social, spiritual, emotional, physical and academic development.  The CDC is a place where children learn and grow until they are ready for school.

We offer flexibility in scheduling.  We provide a variety of scheduling options to fit your needs.

We invite you to visit us at Polk Street Child Development Center.  You are always welcome to look around and find the answers you need to make the right choice for you and your child.

The Director of Polk Street UMC's Child Development Center is Mrs. Karen Smith.  If you have any questions about our program or would like to arrange a tour of our facilities, please contact the CDC office at 374-3198 or send an email to karensmith@psumc.com 

Oversight of the center is provided by the Child Development Center Board. 

Program

The Child Development Center is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM until 5:30 PM, with a wide variety of program and scheduling options.

Our primary goal is to provide a safe nurturing environment for the children, in which social and emotional development is encouraged, as well as academic skills that eventually lead to kindergarten preparedness.

For children younger than 3 years old, (beginning at 6 weeks), we offer a number of options, including 2, 3, 4, or 5 days a week. The normal class day for these groups is 9:00-3:30, with added options for Early Care (7:30-9:00) and/or Late Care (3:30-5:30).

For children who are 3 years old prior to September 1, we offer preschool classes from 9:00-12:00, either 4 days a week (MTWT) or 5 days a week (M-F). For children who are 4 years old prior to September 1, we have pre-kindergarten classes from 9:00-12:00 Monday through Thursday or Monday through Friday. Preschool and Pre-K children can add on Extended Care (12:00-3:30), Early Care (7:30-9:00), and/or Late Care (3:30-5:30).

Preschool (3- and 4-year-old) classrooms are staffed with a degreed teacher and an assistant in the mornings, and by an assistant only for Extended Care. Class sizes are limited to 14 students for 3-year-olds and 16 students for 4-year-olds. In all classes we maintain a staff-to-child ratio that is lower than the state requires.

Discipline is a part of every child’s learning experience, and we incorporate teaching “acceptable behavior” into our daily activities. Inappropriate or “unacceptable behavior” is discouraged and redirected. (We use no form of physical punishment, only “time out.” All discipline is administered with love and compassion.

Our Curriculum is based on the premise that all children are capable of learning and it is our job to develop their uniqueness by providing different avenues for them to explore new learning experiences.  Children learn and retain best what they touch, handle, and manipulate.

We have adopted the High Reach Learning curriculum for each level of our center.  You may check out all of the High Reach Learning information at www.HighReach.com. All learning is age appropriate and designed to include exploring, listening, verbalizing, social interaction, creative play, music, science, math and sensory and motor activities.

Each month your teacher will send home a lesson plan, work sheets, and books so that you may be a valuable part of your child’s learning experience.