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Below you will find answers to questions most often asked by new parents exploring the possibility of enrolling their child at Morning Star Child Care. If you have any question not listed be sure to call: (719) 486-1211 or send us an e-mail: morningstarcc@bresnan.net We would be happy to assist in any way!
Will my child be challenged?
Learning is very important to us at Morning Star. Our teachers keep up-to-date with current research in cognitive development and appropriate teaching techniques for young children. Each day Morning Star teachers offer their students a wide variety of learning experiences—all taught in a fun, creative, and “hands-on” method.
Is this an academic based program?
Young children need learning experiences that will provide a strong foundation for future academic success. Morning Star's teachers integrate mathematics, pre-reading (including letter and sound recognition), vocabulary development, science, and writing into their curriculum planning. Pond life, dinosaurs, community helpers, oceans, and farms are just a sample of the interesting and educational thematic units taught at Morning Star.
What are the qualifications of your teachers?
Our teachers are dedicated to providing the highest quality of care to young children. All our lead teachers have previous early childhood or elementary education, training, and experience. The director and owner, Jane Horning, holds a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education and Administration. Jane is an experienced early childhood and elementary teacher with a major in reading instruction. Our assistant director, Deborah Wibbenmeyer, earned a state of Colorado elementary teaching certificate and also has many years experience in the classroom. Deb has worked in the field of early childhood as a center director at Colorado Mountain College. Our teachers and directors attend conferences and workshops to discover and learn additional creative ideas to use in the classroom.
What will my child do during the day?
Children at Morning Star are active and busy! In the morning the children participate in a circle time (stories, songs, fingerplays), center activities (table games, science, language, or math activity), art or craft project, snack, and outdoor play on our playground. An afternoon rest time is followed by another snack, craft projects, stories, and more outdoor play.
Do the children go on field trips?
The children will participate on walking field trips around Leadville. Our toddlers will ride along in our two, three-seat strollers. The Kiddy Corral is our favorite spot! Our school-age summer campers are off on field trips almost every day of the summer. Parents will always be notified in advance of any trips involving transportation. Parents are welcome to come along with us!
Do you provide lunch?
Morning Star provides two healthy snacks, milk, and juice each day. Parents send in a packed lunch from home for their child. Milk with lunch is served each day. Teachers will microwave food as needed.
Are you open in the summer?
Our preschool and toddler programs operate on a year-round schedule. Morning Star offers a summer camp for school-age children. The Developmental Kindergarten class runs according to the Lake County Public School’s calendar year or on a year-around basis.
Do you give any discount for vacation days?
Tuition paid on a monthly basis earns two free weeks credit per year. A semi-monthly tuition payment plan earns one free week per year. The free weeks are calculated into the year’s tuition and apply only to children enrolled in our year around toddler and preschool classes. Tuition for children enrolled in our school age program and Developmental Kindergarten is based on the child’s set schedule and is expected regardless of sick or vacation days.
May I enroll my child on a part-time basis?
Children may attend Morning Star two, three, four, or five days per week. The Developmental Kindergarten offers a morning class, afternoon class, or full day class. School age children may attend mornings before school, after school, and/or on all those “no school” days.
Do families receive a discount for more than one child?
Yes! A 7% discount is offered to families with more than one child enrolled. This applies to full time enrollment. Two discounts allowed per family.
How do you communicate with parents?
Morning Star is linked into an Internet site called Kinderstreet. Parents simply go to www.kinderstreet.com, then enter a secure site using their own password. Parents may view their child’s general information, emergency contacts, and tuition. At “Monthly Bulletin” parents easily see activities planned for the month, the center’s holiday schedule, and lunch menu. Through Kinderstreet parents may e-mail messages to the center and receive messages, field trip permission slips, plus lots of other helpful information from us. Kinderstreet is a quick and convenient method of communication between the parent and center.
Parents of children age one to three receive a daily log of their child’s day. All families receive the Morning Star News. This periodic newsletter is filled with informative articles concerning the center and the activities of the children. Parent/Teacher conferences are held each November. Parents are welcome to call or drop by the center anytime to speak to a director or teacher.
What is accreditation?
Morning Star will seek accreditation through an organization called The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). NAEYC created its accreditation process in 1985 to set professional standards for early childhood education, and to help families identify high-quality childcare and early educational programs. To earn NAEYC's accreditation Morning Star must conduct a self-study to determine how well our curriculum and program meet the national standards. Parent and teacher surveys will be distributed and given careful consideration. An independent, professional validator will then visit Morning Star. Lastly, a national panel will review our request. Morning Star's process toward accreditation will take about one year from start to completion and will be valid for five years. All teachers and directors are members of NAEYC. In the spring we will all attend a conference hosted by the Colorado Association for the Education of Young Children
Why would Morning Star want to be an accreditated center?
Accreditation insures that Morning Star Child Care is offering children the highest quality of care. Our teachers are required to routinely up-date their education by attending conferences and workshops. Accreditation requires Morning Star to keep child/teacher ratios at a lower level than mandated by State licensing. This means that the children in our care will receive the personal attention they need for healthy growth. Morning Star's teachers are dedicated to their profession and each child in their classroom. Accreditation gives our teachers the recognition they rightly deserve.
What is taught in Bible Class?
The Christian Bible is filled with stories and lessons that encourage healthy development and faith in a loving God. The children will be taught the Old Testament stories (Noah, Jonah and the whale, Ruth, the Passover story) from September until December. In December the children will learn the Christian nativity story. From January until Easter we will look at the life of Christ; his ministry, parables, and miracles. The children will be told the Christian Easter events in a sensitive manner. In the spring we look at the life and ministry of the early church leaders (Paul, John). The children will enjoy singing songs and learning to pray. The Bible class is optional. Children not attending will enjoy a separate activity with their teacher.
Will my child be safe? Will I be notified if my child needs me?
Yes! We have checked and rechecked to make sure that our child care facility is safe for young children. There are locks on the exterior doors, we request driver’s licenses of anyone unfamiliar (including grandparents!), and we try our very best to anticipate and avoid accidents or injuries. Parents will be called if their child is experience a particularly stressful day or is injured beyond a bump or scrape.
Our primary aim is to serve the families in the Lake County community by providing the highest quality of child care possible. We want you to tell us your concerns and ideas. We are continually seeking ways to improve the safety of our center, our curriculum, and care. Thank you for your interest in Morning Star Child Care.
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