Country Day's Early Childhood Center (CDECC) is filled with warmth and energy. It is where children from infants to four years blossom, parents will often be found, and attachments are formed that continue from one year to the next.

At CDECC, each child is allowed to develop at their own pace.  We view children as unique learners who need the opportunity to acquire knowledge in ways that are meaningful to them. No two children will learn the exact same way, and no two children develop at the same rate.

Our philosophy is based on the fact that children learn best by being active participants in constructing their knowledge. Our students have every opportunity to play and explore in a stimulating environment. They are encouraged to explore the properties of water by playing with objects and seeing which ones sink or float. They learn about art by watching a visiting artist mix colors and then trying it themselves. They discover what the terms rough and smooth mean by using their fingers to compare the texture of flour to oats.

Country Day's campus provides our youngest learners the luxury of acres of land to play and explore. Through play, children learn what is real and what is not, they develop symbolic thinking, they learn to interact with others, and they lay the foundation for all the cognitive changes that will rapidly occur. Children with opportunities to explore through play learn to question, find answers, and problem-solve. This, in turn, will generate excitement and enthusiasm about learning - a goal of our program.

What we love the most about CDECC, though, is the dedication of our teachers. They are the heart of our Center, creating an atmosphere filled with warmth and enthusiasm. Our teachers are experienced, knowledgeable, and continually developing professionally. They are interested in the lives of their students, serious about the work they do each day, and believe in each child's uniqueness-- striving to match activities with individual needs.

Sincerely,
Whitney Brooks
Director, Country Day Early Childhood Center