Basics
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Our Teachers
Feel free to view our teacher information at this link: https://thecreativechildplace.weebly.com/teaching-team.html
Erin Wilks- BA in Early Childhood Education
Founder of the The Creative Child Place & Discovery School, serves as a PDS for the Council for Professional Recognition for the National Child Development Associate credential (CDA Council- Washington DC), Member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, member NAREA, & 24 years in the field.
We are so fortunate to have the opportunity to work with our areas youngest citizens. We whole-heartedly believe that we can change the world through our work with young children. Teacher/child, child/child, and environment/child interactions are all key contributors to developing the foundational skills key to developing a love of learning. Nature is HUGE at CCP. We are fortunate that we have access to ponds, farms, and forests here. Our adventures lead into learning based off of experiences, led by children in the most appropriate way.
Philosophy
The Creative Child Place is WAY more than a childcare opportunity, even for our littlest students; it is a learning environment. Our approach to early education allows children to discover through PLAY. Children learn through hands on experiences, engaging with materials, real natural items, peers, and teachers. We take inspiration from several approaches, Reggio Emilia - where child, teacher, and environment are a trifecta of the learning process and how community and belonging influence a child’s outcome. We are most definitely a nature based program- children spend up to 3 hours per day outdoors, which includes hikes, forest discovery, pond exploration, farm visits, sledding, gardening, mud pie making, playground play, or class outdoors for the day. Meals are served outside during moderate weather. Because we are lifelong learners, best practice may adjust. As educators, we are eager to make changes that benefit the development of the whole child. Families are welcome to participate in several gatherings throughout the year to get aquatinted with the children and families that their child attends with. The magic of CCP is not only for the children, we become quite close with parents too! There simply is nothing like being a CCP kid; their experiences here will last a lifetime.
Our program has staff educated in Early Childhood Education, from a CDA through a BA, and rooted in best practice. Members of NAEYC, we are advocates and actively participate in community conversations regarding the early education and care field. We were the first 5 STAR rated program in Muskegon County through Great Start to Quality and have earned high ratings back to back, to back!
Location
Nestled in the forest between North Muskegon and Whitehall, is our “PLACE”. Although we are a “home based” program, the preschool and care spaces are on the lower level, with a separate entrance and parking area. We take advantage of the 10 acres of woodland here, as well as many opportunities with adjoining properties (blueberry picking, pond learning, and farm exploring). CCP is a birth to 5 early learning program, preschool is included and families are encouraged to stay until their child heads off to kindergarten. We are on the fringe of Reeths-Puffer School District (RP Elem. bus picks up/drops off here).
Admissions
Contact is made by completing an online form- https://thecreativechildplace.weebly.com/contact-us.html
Our director, Erin, will reach out and if we have openings, we will schedule a tour. If there is not an opening, you will be placed on the waitlist if requested. The parent handbook and tuition information will be provided before the tour, so that you can prepare questions when you meet in person. It is best to bring your child along for the tour to see if the environment is a good fit for them.
Enrolling- due to the ongoing interest in our program and high demand, available spaces will be given based off receipt of enrollment documents and non-refundable registration fee. It is best to be proactive, if you are interested in enrolling.
Tuition- Tuition payments can be made by ACH transfer or by card. We also accept DHHS subsidy, Tri Share, and VA Childcare assistance.