Director: Ms. Marianne Generali

E-mail: mgeneral@nvcc.commnet.edu

Office: Kinney Hall Room K400

Phone : 575-8292 or 596-8604

Philosophy

The Early Childhood Center is designed to foster the social, physical, emotional and intellectual growth of each child by providing a warm, nurturing and enriching environment. The early school experiences, being the child's first, should be happy, positive experiences. An environment which is personally exciting and meaningful will add to the child's desire to learn.

Children are motivated to explore, manipulate, question and discover through a play environment and small and large group activities, where they are given freedom within structure. Through interaction with others, children will learn to establish cooperative relationships with other children and adults.

The goals for each child who attends the Center are as follows:

1. Learn to get along with others
2. Develop self-control
3. Learn nonsexist human roles
4. Begin to understand their bodies
5. Learn and practice large and small motor skills
6. Learn new language skills
7. Appreciate the aesthetic world through art and music
8. Express her/his thoughts and feelings in a creative environment

The Child Development Center and the Discovery School

The Child Development Center is the training component for the Early Childhood Education Program. The Center is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and consists of one Pre-School classroom of 20 children and one Toddler classroom of 8 children. The Center is open from 8:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. on Fridays during both College semesters. The Art Program is supported by a grant from the Connecticut Commission for the Arts.

For an application, or to receive a brochure which includes costs, please call 203-596-8604 or stop by the office in Kinney Hall Room K-400.

There is a 1 to 2 year waiting list. Acceptances are made in April for the following September.

The Discovery School

The Discovery School is a collaboration between Naugatuck Valley Community College and the Waterbury Public School Pre-K Program. Funded by the Waterbury Readiness Initiative the school is inspired by the schools of Reggio Emilia. The Art Program is supported by a grant from the Connecticut Commission for the Arts.

The Discovery School is open year round 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. for Waterbury residents. Fees are determined on a sliding scale.

To apply please call 203-596-8604 or 203-575-8292 or stop by the office in Kinney Hall Room K-400. Apply early. Acceptances are made in May for the following September. There is a waiting list.