Child Development Center
An outreach of Saint Mark Lutheran Church, dedicated to providing a high-quality early childhood care and education program for children and families in a loving Christian atmosphere.
The early childhood program at St. Mark Child Development Center focuses on meeting the basic needs of every child to be loved and accepted. Within a supportive environment, learning experiences are provided to help each child increase individual awareness, recognize capabilities and limitations, and build a healthy self-image and confidence for moving successfully into the next stages of education.
Our goals stress the development of the “whole child” — spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, socially, and physically. We are a Christian school. A feeling of God’s love for families and all people is on-going in loving, caring relationships with other children and well-trained staff. We endeavor to instill in each child a love of God, a love of self, and a love of others.
Staff
The teaching staff consists of teachers with professional degrees in Early Childhood Education and/or Education and have extensive experience working with preschoolers. They are teamed with qualified instructional assistants.
Licensing and Accreditation
St. Mark Child Development Center is state licensed with the Child Care Division. Regular inspections are made by C.C.D., the fire marshal and the state health division. The Center is also a registered private school with the Oregon Department of Education and a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Education Association (ELEA).
Enrollment
St. Mark Child Development Center is licensed for children 18 months through seven years of age. We offer preschool, prekindergarten and kindergarten classes either alone or in conjunction with child care. Enrollment is on a first come, first serve basis. Our goal is to establish very small classes at all age groups. Not only is this good for the children, it also provides a very low student/teacher ratio.
Operational Hour/Daily Schedule
The St. Mark Child Development Center is open year-round from 6:45 a.m. until 5:45 p.m. daily. The Center is closed the week before Labor Day for yearly maintenance and staff in-service. Other holidays will be observed, and these dates will be printed in the handbook published each September.
The morning classes run from 9:00 a.m. to noon daily. Child care activities before and after classes are carefully planned so they compliment the Preschool, PreK or Kindergarten curriculum. Other options such as gymnastics and swim lessons are offered throughout the year. A nap/rest period is included each afternoon.
Summer and holiday schedules are less structured and incorporate more outside activities, and theme related programming.
On a space available basis, and with prior arrangements, occasional hourly child care is available for those students who attend only preschool, pre-k or kindergarten classes or are on a half-day schedule.
Food Service
Nutritious snacks are provided each morning and afternoon. Children present during lunch will provide their own noon meal; with milk provided by the Center.
Parents
Close cooperation between parents and teachers is a keystone of our philosophy. Parents are always welcome in our school and are free to discuss with their child’s teacher or the Director any questions that may arise concerning their child. An orientation at the beginning of the school year acquaints parents with our program and during the year they are warmly invited to participate in special events.
A monthly newsletter includes the curriculum covered in each class plus other articles so that you as parents can monitor your child’s daily class focus. A calendar listing important activities for each class is included with the monthly newsletter.
Sponsorship
The school is sponsored by Saint Mark Lutheran Church. The school is a non-profit organization operated for preschool age children on a non-discriminatory basis, according equal treatment without regard to race, color, religion, or natural origin. The Director is a professional staff member of Saint Mark Lutheran Church. Policies regarding the Center are set by the Church Council of Saint Mark Lutheran Church after review by the Advisory Committee. Saint Mark Lutheran Church has operated a preschool since the early 1970′s. The school is recognized as one of the finest early childhood programs in the area.
Special Needs
Careful attention is given to the identification of children with special needs, or learning disabilities Professionally qualified screening in speech, language, and vision are available each year at the school. The main function of the school is not directed toward special education, although children with special needs have attended the school with successful results. Our teachers work very closely with the many early intervention professionals serving the children of the community and feel it is very important to provide group experiences to children with special needs.
For More Information
Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have about our center.