Services
At Academics First, we strive to provide more than just the basic necessities of childcare. Our aim is to help the children we serve reach the fullness of their potential.
Our focus is to provide your child with a positive experience with an increased understanding of the world obtained through education.
Below is a snapshot, highlighting just a few of the services you will find available here at Academics First.
Full details about our childcare center and all that we provide can be found in our Family Handbook.
Infant & Toddler Care
At Academics First, we provide infant and toddler care starting with children as young as 6 weeks of age. We understand the many varying needs that infants and toddlers have and it is our goal to make sure that your children receive the proper attention and focus from our staff that they require.
Our caregivers/teachers directly observe infants by sight and sound at all times and regularly check on sleeping infants during rest periods. We also aim to support toddlers transitioning into toilet training. Our commitment is to work with parents/guardians to make sure that toilet learning is carried out in a manner that is consistent with your child’s physical and emotional abilities and your family’s concerns.
Early Childhood Education
Academic’s First uses a multi-curriculum approach. This allows us to gather information about each child’s developmental abilities and evaluate progress so we can modify and adjust what we are doing in our classroom so as to deliver the best individualized instruction for each child. This evaluation is communicated to families periodically during the year using various formal and informal tools, forms, and resources. For screening, Academic’s First uses curriculum-based assessment(s), we monitor each child’s achievement of developmental milestones, share observations with parents/guardians, and provide resource information as needed for further screenings, evaluations, and early intervention and treatment.
Nutritional Meals & Snacks
Academics First provides meals and snacks that are properly planned, prepared and portioned according to the Child and Adult Care Food Program (https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn) and the state requirements for food service.
We pay close attention to food allergies. If your child has a food allergy, we ask that you notify us in writing so that we can make appropriate substitutions to suit your child's needs.
During meals everyone sits at the same table. Children are encouraged to serve themselves from food passed around each table. Good table manners are modeled and encouraged. Weekly menus are posted for viewing. Our staff is trained in first-aid for choking and are present at all meals.
Needs-Based Growth
Your child’s transition into childcare should be a positive and exciting learning adventure. We will work with you and your child to ensure the smoothest possible transition occurs as new routines and new people are introduced. Children are transitioned between programs based on age, developmental readiness, state licensing requirements, and space availability. During transitions, current and future teachers will meet with you to propose a plan to introduce your child into new programs.
Creating a mural of special friends and special times at our center will be part of your child’s education at our center. We will provide you with information on local schools, what to expect, and ideas on how to talk to your child about going to elementary school.
