Why We're Special
We aim for all children we serve to meet and exceed their developmental milestones through the safe, stimulating, and engaging environment we provide. After completing our early childhood education program, our goal is for children to be equipped with the skills to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.
The specific teaching and learning strategies we employ are drawn from evidence and research-based educational models. Central to our approach is providing learning environments that tap into our young learners’ creativity and natural inclination to explore the world around them.
Our Science Education Gives Children a Head Start
We strive to ensure children leave our program equipped with the skills to be successful in kindergarten and beyond. By exposing preschool children to science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM), we provide a head start on developing skills for 21st century careers. In the next decade, an estimated 75 percent of jobs in the fastest growing industries will require a background in science. Our bright, interactive STEAM Learning Lab is an extension of the education that takes place every day in our classrooms.
We Use Technology to Keep Families Up-to-Date
Using the app, See Saw, we give families access to their child’s digital portfolio of learning activities. Families can immediately know all about their child’s day at our Center, and teachers can stay organized and easily communicate with parents.
Parents and Families Can Get Involved in Many Ways
We recognize parents as their children’s first teachers. We value and encourage input from parents on all matters related to their children. Starting from our initial intake process with parents, our staff seeks to understand the experiences parents seek for their children and the expectations that they have of us. Parents and involved family members are welcome to meet our staff and observe in our classrooms. This level of openness with parents and family members is maintained during the entire time their child is enrolled with us. We offer many ways for parents, guardians, and families to get involved in their child’s education, learn parenting skills, and find support. In addition to special events in classrooms, we offer monthly parent support group meetings (Circle of Families), and a variety of other skill-building gatherings including cooking classes, and tax preparation workshops.
We Measure Progress
Within each of our classrooms, we measure the impact of our education programs by tracking how each child meets and/or exceeds age-appropriate developmental milestones. The effectiveness of our program is monitored by the City of Hartford’s Office of Youth Families and Children, The Office of Early Childhood Education and the National AEYC.
Our Staff is Creative, Skilled, and Dedicated
Our teachers are certified, college educated and experienced in early childhood education. Ongoing professional development, a requirement for our teachers, enhances skills and assures best practices in working with children and families. Administrative and support staff are supportive, attentive and compassionate. Everyone is involved in making our center welcoming, responsive and supportive.
Our Roots Run Deep in Hartford
In 1917, a devoted group of African-American ministers’ wives established the Women’s League Child Development Center to meet the needs of migrant and immigrant families in Hartford. More than 100 years later, we are a recognized leader in the field of early childhood education and serve more than 200 children in our 17 classrooms every day.
Communications with Parents and Caregivers
We offer parents and caregivers real-time updates about their children through the app, See Saw. Our REMIND system also provides updates and information via text messages. And we encourage our parents and caregivers in the use of the mobile app, Sparkler. Sparkler helps parents to check in on how their child is doing against key milestones — and provides activities to spark their early learning.
Our Center is Clean, Safe, and Beautiful
The safety and well-being of children is our top priority, so we’ve put new practices in place as a result of the recent coronavirus crisis. We’ve added hand washing stations, hand sanitizing stations at each classroom, body temperature scanning, and ZONOS sanitizing systems for daily cleaning of toys and frequently touched objects. Each of our staff is also first aid and CPR trained.
At Our Center, You’ll Also Find:
- Child enrollment anytime during the year
- Nearly year-round operation—50 weeks total
- Healthy meals prepared on site daily (breakfast, lunch, and snack)
- A sliding fee scale for families that qualify
- A full-time nurse on staff
- Partnerships with local community organizations
