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Miami Valley Hospital
Child Care Center
28 Hill Street
Dayton, Ohio 45409
937.224.3916
937.224.0230 FAX
> Contact The Director
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday
6:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Learn more about and register for our Kindergarden Readiness Program in January 2010.
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Miami Valley Hospital Child Care Center
This center, adjacent to Miami Valley Hospital located in Dayton, Ohio, opened in 1994. The Miami Valley Hospital Child Care Center offers Quality Early Care and Education for children 6 weeks to 6 years old. The center was first accredited by the NAEYC in August 1996.
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.
Developmentally appropriate programs for children from
birth to age 3 are distinctly different from all other
types of programs. They are not scaled-down versions
of a good program for preschool children. These program
differences are determined by the unique characteristics
and needs of children during the first three years:
- changes take place far more rapidly in infancy than
during any other period in life.
- during infancy, as at every other age, all areas of
development (cognitive, social, emotional, and physical)
are intertwined.
- infants are totally dependent on adults to meet their
needs.
- very young children are especially vulnerable to
adversity because they are less able to actively cope with
discomfort or stress.
Infants and Toddlers learn through their own experience, trial and error, repetition, imitation, and identification. Adults guide and encourage this learning by ensuring that the environment is safe and emotionally supportive. An appropriate program for children younger than 3 years old invites play, active exploration, and movement. Mini University provides this type of environment and a broad array of stimulating experiences within a reliable framework of routines for all infants.
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Unique Aspects of our Programs - Number 9 of 10
Mini University, Inc. will Always Work Towards Program Improvement by developing new programs and being attentive to feedback provided by families. Parent suggestion forms are available at the front office, and annually parents are asked to complete a family questionnaire regarding the quality of our programs and administration. Any time a family has questions or concerns, we encourage you to ask your child's teacher, an administrator, or contact the Mini University Corporate Office (often referred to as the Home Office) at 937.426.1414 or toll free at 877.429.9400. We want to always provide families with the highest level of customer service and your feedback is important! |
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 Block Center, I learn... - Social Emotional Development
To demonstrate self direction and independence
How to share and respect the rights of others - Physical Development
How to balance myself while I am moving
How to control the small muscles in my hands - Cognitive Development
How to approach problems with flexibility
To explore cause and effect - Language
How to actively participate in conversations
How to ask questions
Kindergarten and School Age Programs
The Miami Valley Hospital Child Care Center does not offer Kindergarten or School Age programs. However, these programs are offered at our other centers.
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.
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