Programs: Kindergartens

In 1973 families using our child care program expressed the need of wrap around care (before and after) for kindergarten students. In collaboration with Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation Children, Inc. piloted our first full day kindergarten program within the existing child care day. As a result, this type of program became very popular and was offered at our three preschool centers. As we consolidated our centers into our current location at the Columbus Child Care Center we have maintained our kindergarten program. We find that families with multiple children one needing child care and one kindergarten age find our program helpful and cost effective. Currently most elementary schools have limited spaces in their full day kindergarten program and cannot meet the demand of the working families they serve. Families who need child care before school, full day kindergarten and after school care often find the cost for this programming more costly than our program which provides the before and after kindergarten time. Helping even 15-20 children with their foundational kindergarten experience we feel is very positive for children and their families. Our kindergarten program seeks to assist the parents as well as provide the appropriate educational experience for their children. Our kindergarten provides curriculum based on the program supported by Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation. This includes

• Math: Mathematics Today (all year)
• First Semester reading: Hickory Dickory Dock
• Second Semester reading: Buckle My Shoe
• All year reading: D'Nealian Handwriting

We employ a masters-level teacher with 21 years experience in elementary teaching and child care.

With an emphasis on quality affordable child care in the community, and the type of programs offered by Children, Inc., we are NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) Accredited.