 |
Dayton View Campus
1416 West Riverview Ave.
Dayton, OH, 45407
937-567-9426 ext. 1125
Dayton Liberty Campus
4401 Dayton-Liberty Road
Dayton, OH, 45418
937-262-4080 ext. 1309
> Contact Our Director
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday
7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
|
|
Mini University at Dayton Leadership Academies
Mini University operates Preschool classrooms at Dayton View Campus and Dayton Liberty Campus. The goal of these two centers is to provide quality Preschool experiences that will ensure future success within the established K-8 school structure.
Ohio's Early Learning Initiative (ELI)
What is ELI? The Early Learning Initiative (ELI) is a
collaborative partnership between the Ohio Department of Education, Office of Early Learning and School Readiness,
and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services,
Bureau of Child Care and Development. This
initiative is designed to provide educational experiences
for children often identified as at risk of school failure,
they will enter kindergarten ready for success. In addition,
the initiative strives to meet the child care needs of
working families. The initiative's early learning services
are supported by Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
(TANF) funding. (Taken from the ODE website.)
> More Information and Income Guidelines
Preschool Program
Mini University's preschool program is based on NAEYC's
Accreditation Criteria, Creative Curriculum for Preschool, and the Ohio Department
of Education (ODE) Early Learning Content Standards.
Ohio Department of Education Academic Content Standards
The four themes of ODE that
guide the work we do with Preschoolers are:
- All children are born ready to learn
- Environments matter
- Relationships are influential
- Communication is critical
Families who select a Mini University program are kept well informed of the latest educational initiatives, such as the Ohio Department of Education Academic Content Standards. These standards serve as a basis for what students should know and be able to do at each grade level, beginning with preschool. Although your child is just beginning his/her educational journey, rest assured Mini University's teachers will meet or exceed these standards to ensure your child has a strong academic foundation for future school success.
Creative Curriculum for Preschool
Mini University uses The Creative Curriculum for Preschool, aligned to the Ohio Department of Education Early Learning Content Standards, as the educational framework for Preschool. Information provided by Teaching Strategies, creators of The Creative Curriculum describes this framework as follows: The Creative Curriculum for Preschool is one of the country's leading research-based preschool curricula, which applies the latest theory and research on best practices in teaching and learning and the content standards developed by states and professional organizations. While keeping the original environmentally-based approach of earlier editions, The Creative Curriculum for Preschool clearly defines the teacher's vital role in connecting content, teaching, and learning for preschool children. It features goals and objectives linked directly to a valid and reliable assessment instrument (The Creative Curriculum Developmental Continuum for Ages 3-5). The Creative Curriculum for Preschool balances both teacher-directed and child-initiated learning, with an emphasis on responding to children's learning styles and building on their strengths and interests. It provides clear guidance on the teacher's role in addressing content in literacy, math, science, social studies, the arts, and technology, yet never loses sight of the primary importance of social/emotional development in children's learning. The physical space of a Creative Curriculum Preschool classroom is organized into 10 interest areas: Blocks, Dramatic Play, Toys and Games, Art, Library, Discovery, Sand and Water, Music and Movement, Cooking and Computers. The "Outdoor" learning environment is an equally important interest area. The time children spend outdoors every day is just as important to their learning as they time they spend in the classroom. Another integral component of a Mini University Preschool classroom is diversity. All teachers use Louise Derman- Sparks' book Anti-Bias Curriculum, Tools for Empowering Young Children and incorporate various multicultural aspects into the classrooms. Families are encouraged to share their cultural background via the Family History Questionnaire. We also request family photos for each child enrolled. Diversity is valued and respected in the materials selected for the learning environment, in staff hiring practices, and in the children and families served.
In Our Preschool Program:
When I play in the Discovery Area, I learn... - Social Emotional Development
How to follow classroom rules
How to use thinking skills to resolve conflicts - Physical Development
How to coordinate my eye-hand movements
How to control the small muscles in my hands - Cognitive Development
How to compare and measure
How to make and interpret representations - Language
How to interpret meaning from books and other texts
How to ask questions
Tuition Schedule
The primary source of funding for the Preschool
classrooms is the State of Ohio Early Learning Initiative
(ELI) grant. Families must complete all required
paperwork at the Montgomery County Department of Job
and Family Services so the County can begin the process
of determining eligibility. Families living outside of
Montgomery County are eligible to apply for ELI through
their county of residence, and might also be eligible for
Preschool at these locations, if space is available.
The cost of Preschool is $191.00/week and most of this
cost is funded through Mini University's ELI grant. As the
qualifying agency, the Department of Job and Family
Services makes all determinations regarding eligibility and
monthly family co-pays, if applicable.
Families not eligible for preschool services through the
Early Learning Initiative may be able to enroll in Preschool
on a space available, private pay basis. Tuition is billed
monthly at the rate of $625/month due on the 1st of each
month, September through May. Tuition is reduced to
$500 for the month of December, since no Preschool
services are provided for the two week winter break.
Child Nutrition
Many Mini University Centers participate in the Child
and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). The CACFP is a child nutrition program
of the United States Department of Agriculture. Childcare centers are reimbursed
a meal rate to help with the cost of serving nutritious meals to enrolled children.
The meals must meet CACFP meal pattern requirements for children and infants.
Accordingly, participating Mini University Centers provide iron fortified infant
formula and baby foods for the families that choose to use it in our infant program.
Toddlers amd preschoolers have a breakfast, lunch and snack each day that meet
the requirements set forth by CACFP.
|
