Infant and Toddler Programs
Mini University's infant programs incorporate NAEYC's Accreditation Criteria, Ohio's Infant and Toddler's Guidelines, and the Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE) philosophy. The RIE philosophy is based on the research of Magda Gerber and Dr. Emmi Pikler.

The RIE (pronounced "rye") philosophy is based on RESPECT for each child. The educarer respects an infant by talking directly to the child, explaining what he/she is about to do, making eye contact, and by waiting for the child's response. RIE's goal is to help nurture AUTHENTIC infants who are: Competent, Confident, Curious, Attentive, Exploring, Cooperative, Secure, Peaceful, Focused, Self-Initiating, Resourceful, Involved, Cheerful, Aware, Interested and Inner-Directed.
> More details can be found in our Partners in Education handbook (4MB PDF)

Unique Aspects of our Programs - Number 6 of 10 Mini University, Inc. will Incorporate Intergenerational and Multicultural aspects to our program by encouraging active family involvement, visiting local nursing homes, promoting awareness and inclusion of the unique culture of each child and staff member, and recruiting staff to reflect various cultures and ages.

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. The four themes of ODE that guide the work we do with Preschoolers are:

1. All children are born ready to learn
2. Environments matter
3. Relationships are influential
4. Communication is critical

• 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

Kindergarten Program
Private Kindergarten is currently only offered at the Wright State University location. Children of Kindergarten age are provided Before and After School Care and participate in our Summer programs at the Miami University Child Development Center.
> More details can be found in our Partners in Education handbook (4MB PDF)

School-Age Program
The oldest children in a Mini University center are the school age children, affectionately referred to as "the Seniors." These children range in age from 5-12 years old, and depending on the center, may be divided into 1-3 classrooms. The emphasis in our school-age program is placed on group activities that stress cooperation and respect for others. The children are allowed time to explore, reflect, expand, socialize and complete tasks in accordance with their individual interests. The classrooms are fun, exciting, and developmentally appropriate for the students.

The greatest compliment Mini University has received about the quality of our school age programs is the "Top Ten" list created by the Seniors. This list identifies the reasons why the students in this age group love coming to Mini University programs and includes things like "creek walks," "field trips," "listening to cool music," and "making our own snack!" As children get older and feel they don't need to come to "childcare" anymore, it's nice to know Mini University has a quality program designed with their interests in mind, where parents know they're safe and kids know they'll have fun.
> More details can be found in our Partners in Education handbook (4MB PDF)

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.
> More details can be found in our Partners in Education handbook (4MB PDF)