Our Programs

LEARN

“CHILDREN LEARN BEST THROUGH THEIR EVERYDAY EXPERIENCES WITH THE PEOPLE THEY LOVE AND TRUST, AND WHEN THE LEARNING IS FUN.”

The curriculum at Creative Youth Enrichment Center combines a mixture of child initiated and teacher guided activities.  This approach is based on the research and beliefs of Arnold Gesell, Jean Piaget, Maria Montessori, Lev Vygotsky and Erik Erikson, leaders in early childhood learning.  In a child initiated curriculum, experts believed that a child’s physical and cognitive development occur over time in stages which are predictable and sequential.  As a child plays and interacts with their environment, they form an understanding of how the world works.  It is believed that in a teacher guided curriculum that children learn about their world best by interacting with other people and will reach their full potential through guidance and modeling by adults.

Your child’s learning experience at Creative Youth Enrichment Center revolves around theme based learning which capitalizes on children’s interest and guidance from adults.  Themes such as bugs, weather or gardening provide a meaningful context for children to learn and build a community of leaders.  Themes are also incorporated into our Discovery Centers for Play Based Learning.

CREATE

“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” – Fred Rogers

We live in a society that emphasizes academics from a very young age, but we need to recognize that young children learn best through play that is relevant and meaningful to their life, not to direct instruction.

The key to a successful curriculum is creating a warm, friendly, interactive, and hands-on environment where children love to learn. Our classrooms are designed to encourage children to actively engage, explore, experiment and develop the critical thinking skills necessary for problem –solving and independence. Our developmentally-appropriate, “whole child” approach to early education supports learning and development in all major domains – language, social-emotional, cognitive, physical, literacy, mathematics, science and technology, social studies and the arts.

Our warm and welcoming environment allows children to have a choice about programming and activities. Regardless of age, when children are allowed to choose activities they are interested in, they are more likely to be enthusiastic and more likely to retain the knowledge, skills and information provided to them. Staff can help children to make choices by guiding them to new challenges or mastery over emerging skills and understanding. CYEC achieves these results by dividing the rooms into Discovery Centers.

PLAY

A NUTRITIONAL BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND AFTERNOON SNACK IS PROVIDED DAILY.

Food and nutrition are at the core of a child’s growth and development.

A child’s diet should consist of:

  • At least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day
  • Healthy protein options such as lean meats, nuts, eggs, beans, and legumes
  • Whole grain cereal and breads
  • Water and milk

Healthy eating can stabilize children’s energy; sharpen their minds, and even their moods.

If your child has a special nutritional need or requires an adaptation to our menu, we will work with your family to create a plan that adequately meets your child’s needs. Please alert the staff if your child has an allergy or special nutrition need.

 Daily Rest Time

Naps play a large role in the healthy sleep of children. They help to optimize a child’s alertness and have an impact on their learning and development.

Physical Activity Time

According to the Center for Disease Control, children and adolescents should do 60 minutes (1 hour) or more of physical activity each day. Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children in the past 30 years. Obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease (high cholesterol or high blood pressure), diabetes, and greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea and poor self-esteem.

For kids, exercise means playing and being physically active. Kids exercise when they have gym class at school, during recess, at dance class or soccer practice, while riding bikes, or when playing tag. Creative Youth Enrichment Center will provide time each day for children to have physical activity. Weather permitting, we will take advantage of the outdoors and playground.

The benefits children receive from regular physical activity:

  • Helps build and maintain healthy bones and muscles.
  • Helps reduce the risk of developing obesity and chronic diseases.
  • Reduces feelings of depression and anxiety and promotes psychological well-being.

Help improve academic performance including; academic achievement and grades, concentration of staying on task and attentiveness in the classroom.

CONNECT

Our Mission:

CYEC is dedicated to providing a caring, safe and creative foundation for all youth that offers a challenging learning environment and encourages expectations for success. Through positive relationships with youth and staff, we empower all youth to succeed and celebrate the pursuit of lifelong learning and happiness and are committed to nurturing high self-esteem and respect for others.

Our Philosophy:

Creative Youth Enrichment Center is committed to providing a responsive and supportive program that recognizes and respects the whole child and family. Our program is designed to foster opportunities for children to build skills, work together and form lasting relationships with each other and adults. An opportunity to LEARN, CREATE, PLAY, CONNECT.

Our Goals for Children:

  • Provide a warm, nurturing, and inviting environment that affects the way children, families and staff feel about the program.
  • To learn through active involvement with materials, activities and others.
  • To become independent and confident.
  • To gain knowledge and skills in academic, social and physical areas to be ready for school and beyond.
  • To have fun!

 Focus on Safety

Creative Youth Enrichment Center has made a commitment to provide the highest quality program that is safe, educational, nurturing and fun for each child and for you to consider this your child’s home away from home. We are licensed by the Department of Human Services and participate in the DHS Star-Quality Child Care Program