Coral Gables Congregational Church : United Church of Christ :

We believe God can blow the lid off any box, unfold it, and turn it into a dance floor. We're out of the box people.

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Early Childhood Center

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Welcome to the Early Childhood Center

As a ministry of Coral Gables Congregational Church we welcome the opportunity to provide a preschool program for your child which values learning through play. Early Childhood Center focuses on readiness in the areas of social/emotional, physical, cognitive and language development and has been accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs or NAEYC since 1993.

We recognize that by placing your child with us you are investing your trust, hopes and dreams for a child. We wish to honor that trust by caring for your child in the best way possible. We believe that all God’s children are important and need opportunities for social growth and happiness. We are certain that every child needs a chance to learn through play and we wish to guarantee a child’s right to do so in a loving, caring, age-appropriate environment.

Early childhood is a time of beginning relationships in a community that is away from home. As we bond with parents through visits and giving tours of our preschool it becomes easier for parents and for children. We know that building relationships between parents, family and staff is the first important step in the socialization process that is at the center of early childhood education. Family events, such as holiday programs, all-school assemblies, our” Pretend Circus Day,” a Native American “Pow-wow,” or “La Posada,” a Mexican Christmas tradition are elements of creating a special bond with family and children. It is so wonderful to hear a child say,” See, Mommy, that’s my school.”

Please take time to explore the website and enjoy the candid photo slide show of preschool activities which will take you through a gamut of experiences. – a child on the monkey bars, children painting, listening to story-time, cooking, singing, dancing on Hispanic Day, lighting the menorah, enacting Mary and Joseph at La Posada, the band of angels at the Christmas pageant, little ones riding a pony at the Family Fall festival, dads playing with their children, children riding the tricycles, grandparents bringing costumed children and pumpkins to the Halloween party, or appreciating a butterfly emerging from its cocoon. We hope these will give you at least a glimpse into a world of a preschool that values learning through play, socialization and building relationships.

If you are not already registered at ECC we hope you will browse our website and learn more about our current fees and download the pre-registration form. Remember it’s never too early to place your child’s name on our waiting lists. We are pleased that you will be able to visit the classroom sites to see our nationally accredited, well-trained, Gold Seal staff. We are very proud to have such a fine staff that is committed to early childhood education. You may be interested in knowing that the longevity of service here at ECC is 15 years on average. It’s this quality and continuity that makes our preschool so special.

I never grow tired of telling the story of how I personally came to be at Early Childhood Center. Over thirty years ago I was looking for the right preschool program for my child and while on a bike ride discovered the natural beauty of this setting. I soon began working for the school and made a transition from public school teaching to early childhood education. I have never wanted to go back. Over the years we have gathered a dedicated staff that remember well the ideals of early learning, which they wanted for their own children. We have been working on providing the best early childhood program ever since.

I feel the best way to experience ECC is in person. I hope you will take an opportunity to drop in and visit us some morning between 9 and 11 am. As director I am so happy to give you a tour of our facility. We are used to visitors and nothing gives me more pleasure than to show you our school. I want you to see and feel the happy hum of a busy classroom.

We have discovered that parents are often looking for a specific preschool experience for their child and may not know how to express it in words. We hope that parents will visit many schools to discover what that something special is. And then come and see Early Childhood Center! We hope we can be that special preschool for you and your family.

Here are a few more things that make me proud to show you our preschool:
…a caring and qualified staff
…an excellent student-staff ratio
…large classrooms with good resources
…music and art on a regular basis
…a secure, enclosed, well-equipped playground
…readiness activities based on oral language and age-appropriate curriculum
…a safe, happy, and welcoming environment for all children and all families

Come and see us! Sincerely,

Barbara Watson, Director

NAEYC Accredited