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Child and Family Development Center
Charleston County School District

VISION: To become a model of excellence in preschool and family education.

Our model includes six major components:

1) Collaboration in the interest of serving children and their families. Members of the programs housed in the Center serve on the Family Literacy support teams and share staff development and parent activities, information and ideas, equipment and space. Together we are seeking accreditation from NAEYC, pooling expertise and resources to earn this prestigious certification of excellence.

2) Adult and Parent Education according to each parent's identified needs. Parents from all programs served at the center are offered support in obtaining a GED, job skills for professional development and parenting skills for successful parent/child interaction as their child's first teacher.

3) Parent involvement in their child's education, at school and at home. Parents are recognized as their child's first teacher and are expected to participate in parent/child activities in the classroom, to attend Family Fun Time and field trips and to be a partner in parent/teacher conferences. Literacy based activities are regularly assigned to be done at home in preparation for family events at the Center

4) Early childhood education based on best practices and developmentally appropriate curriculum, instruction and classroom management. Teachers use state approved curricula and develop long and short- range plans based on their understanding of literacy development and their children's assessed needs and interests. Inside and outside learning environments are used to support child and teacher directed learning.

5) A physical environment, inside and out, that is safe, healthy, clean and attractive. We take care of our physical environment to convey to all that work and visit here that we take pride in our facility, our profession, and ourselves. We believe that our facility sends a message about our child-centered focus and our ability to provide outstanding service to families.

6) A staff dedicated to their profession and to working together in the interest of children and their families. Staff members are life long learners who seek opportunities for professional growth and participate fully as members of the school community, problem solving, providing support and encouragement and celebrating successes.