MECHANICSBURG LEARNING CENTER

PURPOSE & PHILOSOPHY The original purpose of the Mechanicsburg Learning Center (MLC) was to provide high-quality substitute care for children while their parents were at work and to involve these children in developmentally appropriate enriching experiences. We use the Creative Curriculum, linked with the PA Early Learning Standards, to create child based learning programs, to reflect children’s interests and needs. We utilize observations and on-going assessments to create goals and report outcomes for all children in our programs. The Mechanicsburg Learning Center has developed a philosophy, which affects program, staffing patterns, and parent involvement: 1. Every child has a right to grow in a climate appreciative of and nurturing to, his/her uniqueness. When a family shares this responsibility with community services the child has a right to quality care. It is not true that "something is better than nothing". Children have a right to programs that address their emotional, social, nutritional, and intellectual needs. Every child has a right to his /her own unfolding, which recognizes his / her uniqueness and individual developmental needs. 2. Every parent has a right to make choices enabling him, or her, to be self-sufficient and fully functioning. When this choice involves going to work, it is a parent's responsibility to find alternative care for his/her child that reflects the family's values and standards. MLC believes a community should provide well-thought-out day care programs for parents in which to place their children. Parents should be free to perform optimally on the job, unhampered by guilt or worry about what is happening to their child during the day. 3. Every child has a right to quality early educational care services regardless of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, national origin, or socio-economic background. When families are unable to meet the costs of these programs, community resources should be marshaled to aid these children to obtain quality care. The investment a community is willing to make in its children now is an effective preventative measure for its own continued mental health and future stability. PURPOSE & PHILOSOPHY The original purpose of the Mechanicsburg Learning Center (MLC) was to provide high-quality substitute care for children while their parents were at work and to involve these children in developmentally appropriate enriching experiences. We use the Creative Curriculum, linked with the PA Early Learning Standards, to create child based learning programs, to reflect children’s interests and needs. We utilize observations and on-going assessments to create goals and report outcomes for all children in our programs. The Mechanicsburg Learning Center has developed a philosophy, which affects program, staffing patterns, and parent involvement: 1. Every child has a right to grow in a climate appreciative of and nurturing to, his/her uniqueness. When a family shares this responsibility with community services the child has a right to quality care. It is not true that "something is better than nothing". Children have a right to programs that address their emotional, social, nutritional, and intellectual needs. Every child has a right to his /her own unfolding, which recognizes his / her uniqueness and individual developmental needs. 2. Every parent has a right to make choices enabling him, or her, to be self-sufficient and fully functioning. When this choice involves going to work, it is a parent's responsibility to find alternative care for his/her child that reflects the family's values and standards. MLC believes a community should provide well-thought-out day care programs for parents in which to place their children. Parents should be free to perform optimally on the job, unhampered by guilt or worry about what is happening to their child during the day. 3. Every child has a right to quality early educational care services regardless of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, national origin, or socio-economic background. When families are unable to meet the costs of these programs, community resources should be marshaled to aid these children to obtain quality care. The investment a community is willing to make in its children now is an effective preventative measure for its own continued mental health and future stability. PURPOSE & PHILOSOPHY The original purpose of the Mechanicsburg Learning Center (MLC) was to provide high-quality substitute care for children while their parents were at work and to involve these children in developmentally appropriate enriching experiences. We use the Creative Curriculum, linked with the PA Early Learning Standards, to create child based learning programs, to reflect children’s interests and needs. We utilize observations and on-going assessments to create goals and report outcomes for all children in our programs.