Our daughter started at the Child Care Center when she was 3 ½, transitioning there from a full-time daycare where she had lots of friends, familiar faces and a steady routine. We were having another child and I needed a more affordable and convenient option yet we were concerned about all of the change coming her way. After 7 months at the Child Care Center we had to start thinking about pre-school…yet another change. I honestly didn’t know much about the pre-school program at St. Mary’s so inquired with a few parents and the staff at the Child Care Center. To be honest, I had a lot of preconceptions that the idea of a more formalized, class-room setting would be best for preschool as a means to prepare our daughter for the experience of kindergarten. She is a bright but energetic child and I worried about her ability to transition from a predominantly “play” environment to a classroom environment. We soon started our list of pros/cons of both options: pre-school in the class versus pre-school in the child care center. It was a great exercise and one that proved quite accurate as our child care center “pros” proved to be very valuable to both us as parents and to our daughter. I’ll share a few from our list. I hope you consider the impact of each as you think of your own child’s development.
1. Caring and Dedicated Staff – Not only is the ratio of staff to students phenomenal but their level of genuine care and concern over the mental, physical and emotional well-being of the children is excellent. Each one brings something different to the experience and children, our daughter included, recognize that and benefit from it. Our daughter has formed strong bonds with each staff member that we know have affected her in a positive way at such an influential stage in her development. The level of communication and openness that the staff fosters to parents is exceptional.
2. Appropriate Learning Tools – Along with class environment, we had concerns about what our daughter would be learning at the child care center as opposed to preschool. Would she have exposure to basic letter, number, word and math skills? Would she develop socially? Would she identify with her religion and sense of spirituality? Would she do more than just play? We have been more than pleased with her development in all of these areas. I would review the worksheets done in class daily and have our daughter explain the task. We would replicate similar learning skills through books, flashcards and other tools at home to reinforce the same themes. She learned valuable tools on following instructions, completing a task and learning from mistakes. Every evening we were usually entertained by a new song or story, most of which had a positive Christian basis to their meaning.
3. Meaningful Friendships – Our daughter has received the social and emotional benefits from a numerous and diverse set of friends at the child care center, many of which she will progress with through kindergarten at BLSMMA. We are grateful that she been in an environment where she has bonded with other children in a positive way and continues those relationships through the Summer Camp program at the Child Care Center. It’s a great sense of consistency for her to have familiar faces around.
4. Dollars and Cents – And all of the above came at a price that was more reasonable than the pre-school option. With other children at home and a transition in work status this financial consideration was a serious one. It’s wonderful care at a reasonable cost.
-Neysa
I just had to drop you a line to say that your facility is GREAT!! I have been taking Ken there for over two years, he attends both the after school program during the school year and the day camp program in the summer. He looks forward to going every morning. The activities, crafts, water play and added attention he receives make him feel special. You are always getting some new program or special equipment to aid the children with their academic endeavors. Keep up the good work and thank you for being there for us.
-Linda M Macsurak
I would like to formally praise Saint Mary of Mount Daycare Center with this letter of recommendation. I have had all three of my children attend the Preschool, Before & After School, and Summer Camp programs they offer. They have learned everything from their ABC’s, numbers, letter and number recognition, shapes, music, arts & crafts and even computers. They also learn life enhancement skills like sharing, patience, understanding and love. They eat nutritional meals and snacks all day long and play in the large playground outside as well as the playrooms and gym inside. The Staff members are very professional and family friendly. As a working parent, I know how hard it can be to find a place where you can provide a comfortable and secure environment for your child; however, I have found that place with St. Mary’s Child Care.
Sincerely,
Bonnie White
We’ve been using St. Mary of the Mount Child Care since we returned to Pittsburgh nearly 7 years ago. My oldest son had attended two other day care centers, one in New York City and one affiliated with my workplace in Ohio. We started using St. Mary of the Mount Child Care right before our (now 11 year old) started kindergarten. We have been more than pleased with the results. Now, three kids and 7 years later, my two youngest children have had the benefit of the stability of caretakers and educational curriculum offered at St. Mary of the Mount Child Care.
The physical facility itself is bright, colorful and attractive, with spacious areas for creative play, artwork and lunch/snack time. The knowledgeable staff are the same, smiling faces from my very first visit. As a former Child Protective Services caseworker, I can’t express how important stable caregivers is to early childhood development! All three of my children truly love Miss Sue, Miss Linda, Miss Tara, Miss Becky, Miss Chelsea, and Miss Julie and Miss “Polino” (as my youngest daughter called her before she could say Folino). Another aspect of the Child Care Center that I like is the fact that the older children are encouraged to help out the younger ones. This does so much to foster a real sense of community and service, great life lessons that are not a typical part of a “No child left behind” curriculum. The children attend thoughtful field trips where they learn and have fun, they are encouraged to help those less fortunate and I have found that the Child Care Center has been an integral part of helping my children develop a positive sense of self.
As consumers of both the after school child care as well as summer camp, I can honestly say that I don’t know what I’d do for child care without the Child care center. Other centers have high turnover, aren’t nearly as clean or friendly as St. Mary of the Mount. Above and beyond that, my children are always learning something. Whether it’s how to print the letters in their name, the days of the week, tips and strategies for dealing with frustration or ways to be of service to their community, it is my firm belief that the interactions that my children receive at the center are helping to shape them into intelligent, caring and well rounded young people who will be productive and capable adults.
I am so pleased to have such a wonderful facility that combines high standards of learning, a fun atmosphere and genuine compassion right in my back yard!
Janice Barnard
mother of Ethan, Ryan and Meghan