The Downtown Ithaca Children’s Center is more than just childcare! Our Center offers rich programs for children from birth through age five.
The program is strength-based, to allow the gifts of each child to become the building blocks in all areas of development. The teachers at the Downtown Ithaca Children’s Center respect the value of creating a loving, diverse, educational, and inviting environment for your children that is intricately woven into the downtown Ithaca community.
Individually and collectively, children both initiate and are guided to build on their intrinsic desire to gain knowledge about their worlds – intellectually, socially, emotionally, culturally, linguistically, physically, educationally and personally. Children are provided with a variety of developmentally appropriate materials and experiences which enable them to learn naturally, through exploration and discovery. They are supported to make choices, expand interests, and feel success, excitement, engagement and stretch and reach their assets, capacities and competencies. Staff have education, experience and ongoing training in early childhood practices, offering support and encouragement for children as they grow in the following areas:
- Positive self concept;
- Respect and curiosity for cultural diversity;
- Social and emotional skills;
- Gross and fine motor skills;
- Logical thinking skills; abilities to reason, question, experiment;
- Language development;
- Creative expression;
- Wellness for health, safety, nutritional and personal practices;
- And all that impacts teaching and learning that reaches wants, needs, goals and affirmations.
Quality programs mean quality staff. The interconnectedness of this is essential. The classroom teams play crucial roles in fostering strengths-based growth and development for every child – individually and collectively as part of a community. On-going staff training opportunities allow teachers to stay current with best practices in the field of early childhood.
Teachers are fluent in Developmentally Appropriate Programing and Conscious Discipline. Staff are trained in assessing, on an on-going basis, child development, coordinating with parents for optimal success, and creating a curriculum that inspires natural steps in growth. This programing includes weekly lesson plans with activities for each area of development daily. Inside and outside learning environments are created to offer distinct natural learning in interpersonal skills, language, fine motor, gross motor, intellectual, and independent living skills. Classrooms are set up to invite children to explore and learn together, and teachers are present to guide children, to provide a safe and nurturing environment at all times.
We are committed to staff development. Through our participation with QualityStars NY and NY Early Childhood Professional Development Institute we are ever increasing materials and resources for staff development as well as access to scholarships and advisement for continuing education opportunities. We continue to establish collaborations with local school districts and support agencies to maximize staff knowledge, skills and services to best meet the needs of the children and families we serve.
DICC also collaborates with the Sciencenter. They have developed programs for our toddler and pre-K classrooms, offering opportunities for hands on exploration of the natural world as well as allow regular opportunities for classes to visit and explore their exhibits – especially when outdoor adventure is inhibited by poor weather conditions.
Other unique traits of the Center include our food program. DICC serves breakfast, lunch, and a snack every day. Our meal program is vegetarian and is based on the use of eggs and cheese, whole grains and beans, fresh fruit and vegetables, and nutritious snacks. We provide grains and beans and local vegetables and fruits. We believe this style of eating provides the children with the highest quality nutrition and a balanced menu. We develop our menu and align our meal program with our participation in NYS Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
