Our Home Away from Home Preschool and Childcare

Our Teachers

Elizabeth Cogle, Owner/Director

I have been working with children for over twenty years, in schools, centers, and home. I have done everything from working in the classroom to cleaning and cooking in a childcare. I have a bachelor’s degree in health administration. I was working in a hospital setting and thought that was what I wanted to do. After realizing that working with children was where my heart was, I decided to make a career change and go back into the childcare field. I have since completed my Child Development Associate (CDA). I also take ongoing education for child development through the State of Michigan to keep on top of the newest skills and requirements for licensing.

All Caregivers:

• Infant/Child/Adult CPR, AED, & First Aid American Red Cross Certified.
  Takes a minimum of 16 Childcare Educational Course hours per year Teachers have a Child Development Associate (CDA) or Early Childhood Education College Courses (ECE) are being completed.

Philosophy

We believe in providing a safe and secure learning environment, which helps children grow socially, emotionally, and cognitively. We strive to teach values such kindness, helpfulness, and respect for one another all through play-based, hands-on, learning and exploring.

We believe children learn best through playing, exploring, active learning, creating, and thinking all while having fun. We believe children are naturally wired to do the very thing that will help them learn and grow. The impulse to play comes from the natural desire to learn and understand the world around them.

Play-based learning is a type of early childhood education based on child-led and open-ended play. If you’re picturing preschoolers finger painting or ‘playing house’, you’re spot on.

Play itself is a voluntary, enjoyable activity with no purpose or end goal. Believe it or not, activities like this lay the foundation for a child to become a curious and excited learner later in life. Play-based learning helps children develop social skills, motivation to learn, and even language and numeracy skills. Taking initiative, focused attention, and curiosity about the world they are a part of.

As a team we try to learn about the child’s needs, interests, background, and culture. We believe children excel more when their needs and interests are met. We also believe that children need consistency to understand what is expected of them. Achievements should be celebrated, mistakes made, and lessons learned.

Children should be allowed to make choices to create confidence. We believe in saying “I’m sorry”, helping others, and taking responsibility for his or her own actions.

We believe that children need their own space at times helping them to regulate their own emotional and social stability. All children learn differently, however, playing is learning even with different interests and backgrounds. We believe children do best in a calm and engaging environment that allows children space and time for his or her learning style, although a schedule is also necessary.

Lastly, children deserve a nurturing, safe, and happy environment that promotes their natural curiosity and their desire to learn. Caregivers should be an example for the children by showing values that enable them to be excellent role models.

Location

We are a Downriver community known as a suburban Detroit region with working class residential neighborhoods. We are close to local schools, a library, and parks that are a close walk or quick drive away.

About our program

We believe that in home multi-age groups have huge benefits including, more time spent with your child in a less chaotic environment.

We offer a Reggio inspired, play based preschool to children ages 3-5 who are fully potty trained. All children can participate in age appropriate creative art, literature, large motor skills, and sensory play. The direction of the curriculum is based on the children’s interest.

Play based learning helps children develop social skills, motivation to learn, language, and numeracy skills. Impulse to play comes from a natural desire to learn and understand the world around them. Think fingerpainting, playing house, or drawing a picture. These are all play based which are child led and open ended.

We have a low child to teacher ratio allowing for more one on one with your child. Our ratio is no more than 1:6, but depends on enrollment.

We prioritize in safety and cleanliness. We have measures in place to make sure the childcare is a safe and healthy environment. The childcare also has a loving and nurturing environment. We strive to care and love your child like you would hope a caregiver would.

Admissions

Parents are offered a packet with required forms and a parent handbook. All forms must be completed and returned by the first day of school. Medical forms/waiver must be returned within two weeks of the original start date. The first and last week’s payment and registration fee is due before the first day of care.

Scheduled Fees: Annual Non-Refundable Registration: $100 (holds child’s spot)

Little Explorers: (24months old- until 35 months) $270 weekly or $1080 monthly. Part Time: $65 Daily Drop In.

Preschoolers: (3-5 years old) $245 weekly or $980 monthly. Part Time: $65 Daily Drop In.

Deposit: Two weeks tuition Deposit along with the registration fee is due upon enrollment. This fee will pay for the first and last week of tuition. Deposit/Registration fees are non-refundable.

Little Explorers Total Enrollment Fee: $640 (Due by 1st day) Preschoolers Total Enrollment Fee: $590 (Due by 1st day)

Deposit or Enrollment fees will not be refunded but will be applied toward your account to cover outstanding fees and/or the last week of care.