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 8 of 10 Mini University, Inc. will Support Families as they face the daily challenges of balancing work and family issues. Services in the past have included quarterly family programs and "Parent's Night Out."

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 stand up for my rights
  How to recognize the feelings of others and respond appropriately
• Physical Development
  How to coordinate my eye-hand movements
  How to use tools for writing and drawing
• Cognitive Development
  How to make believe with objects
  How to show awareness of time concepts and sequence
• Language
  How to express myself using words and expanded sentences
  How to answer questions

Kindergarten & School-Age Programs
The Montgomery County Mini Unitersity Center does not offer Kindergarten or School-Age progams. However, these programs are offered at our other sites.

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)