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Montgomery County's
Mini University
40 Vista View Drive
Dayton, Ohio 45402
937.461.9027
937.461.6967 FAX
> Contact The Director
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday
7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
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Montgomery County's Mini University
This center, located in downtown Dayton, Ohio, was established in 1997. Montgomery County's Mini University offers Quality Early Care and Education for children 6 weeks to 6 years old. The center was first accredited by the NAEYC in December 1999.
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.
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Unique Aspects of our Programs - Number 10 of 10
Mini University, Inc. will Be Active in the Community by participating in local community events, using the resources of the Dayton and Oxford communities to provide special programs, and establishing an excellent reputation for commitment to quality early childhood programs. One of the best examples of this is the Early Head Start Partnership with Miami Valley Child Development Centers in Dayton. Families who qualify for these programs receive additional services at our Miami Valley Hospital and Montgomery County centers. These services have included mental health consultations, vision and hearing screenings, and educational parenting workshops. |
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 Dramatic Play area, I learn... - 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.
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