PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT

The primary objective of the Family Child Care Program is to foster the social, emotional, cognitive and physical development of children.  This goal can be attained by providing a high standard of care in the areas of health, safety, and nutrition, in addition to providing a supportive and stimulating environment that will advance a child's competence in all developmental areas. Competence is broadly defined as the ability to interact effectively and cooperatively with the environment.  It includes the following abilities:

• develop a positive sense of self

• develop meaningful relationships with caring adults

• select activities and tasks that are consistent with one's abilities

• focus and maintain attention

• organize one's own behavior

• initiate and complete tasks

• use, respond to, and understand language

• engage in gross motor and fine motor tasks

• integrate information through the senses

• develop thought processes

• play alone and with others

• interact successfully with adults and with other children

• respect self and others

• willing to take risks in learning situations

• attempt unfamiliar tasks and activities

• respond positively to physical and verbal comfort

• display a variety of emotions

The Cole-Harrington Family Child Care System promotes an interactive style of child care. We strongly feel that children learn by being active participants in a variety of social relationships and problem-solving situations.  A range of experiences and materials need to be provided throughout the day which children will enjoy and find rewarding.  Providers support each child in his/her exploration and assume responsibility for continuing to make their program interesting and stimulating. 

We feel that young children are intrinsically curious and are motivated to explore their environment and develop relationships with adults and other children.  It is through their successful interactions that children develop competence.  It is the provider's role to encourage children's curiosity and provide positive feedback for children's developing relationships.

We feel it is important that children have the opportunity to select their own activities and play alone, as well as with other children.  As children play with materials and their peers, they clarify and extend their understanding of the world. As children grow, they develop a concept of themselves.  We feel that having a positive self-concept is of utmost importance for a child's later success in life.  A child with a positive self-image is sure of his/her ability to cause things to happen and is able to make his/her needs known.  It is also important for children to become aware of the things that are difficult for him/her to do.  Children with a positive self-image are usually willing to try to improve their skills and expand their knowledge.

The Cole-Harrington Family Child Care program encourages children to develop and use their language skills.  Language is considered both a tool for thinking and a means of communication.  It is the method by which children organize their perceptions and thoughts, and then share them with others.  Providers need to converse with children throughout their day.  In addition, specific language activities must be provided for children and include activities such as reading, singing, rhyming, in addition to language based games.

The Family Child Care program should be a place where children of all ages, cultures, and socio-economic backgrounds are welcome.  Cole-Harrington operates as an open system, which means providers service families referred by the agency as well as families from the private sector.  We strongly believe in a diversified program.

The Cole-Harrington Family Child System welcomes providers from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.  Our System of providers is enriched through the contributions made by all providers.  A positive and supportive relationship between children, parents, providers, and staff is crucial to the development of children.

The Cole-Harrington Family Child Care System strives to place children in homes where they can learn, play, develop, and interact with others successfully.  We hope that their experiences in our homes will provide them with the basic skills necessary to be happy, well-adjusted, caring and productive members of society.