Campus center serves children
By LAURA SELLINGER
News Writer
Walk through the doors of the Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) and you are faced with bright colors, children playing and smiling faces.
Since it began in 1971, the ECDC provides a learning environment to foster social, emotional, physical and cognitive development in children.
Part of the Center's mission "is to foster respect, responsibility, responsiveness and resourcefulness," said Terri Kosik, the Center's executive director. "These are attributes which make a competent individual; our goal is to provide a positive environment which supports this."
ECDC is funded by Saint Mary's and Notre Dame and provides both full and part-time programs for children on both campuses. Only children of parents affiliated with one of the two schools, or another Holy Cross Order institution may enroll in the center.
During the school year, children from two-years-old through kindergarten attend programs, while children ages two through nine utilize the center during the summer.
They benefit from a large staff, of 50 teachers and more than 100 volunteers. Most of the volunteers are students pursuing majors in child-related fields.
"We are fortunate to have college student volunteers because they bring diversity to the center," Kosik said. "Thanks to this diversity, the children have enjoyed a wide range of activities, from learning Spanish to watching softball games."
Art, music, literature, movement, creative dramatics and field trips are used to promote the individual growth of each child.
"ECDC takes a hands-on approach to learning," Kosik said. "The children learn through movement-rich play and this is a large component of the curriculum."
Students appreciate the opportunity as well.
"I really enjoy working at the ECDC," said student volunteer Erin Formica. "I have worked there since the beginning of my sophomore year, and our main responsibility is to interact and play with the children — it has been fun to watch them change and grow."
Through the ECDC, parents can juggle the problems of working or attending school and finding quality care for their children.
"Most parents are faced with what we call a trilemma. This includes finding, affording, and accessing high-quality care for their children," Kosik said.
In an effort to accommodate as many families as possible, the ECDC has a income–based tuition structure. With this structure, a family with limited resources pays half the market tuition rate because the University is subsidizing the center.
Parents can also play an active role in the ECDC. There is an open-door policy for families who are enrolled in the center as well as meetings and parent-helper days. Parent assistance on field trips is also welcome.
All News Stories for Wednesday, April 26, 2000
