Children's growth and development are at the heart of our child-focused philosophy.  We believe children deserve a safe, positive and supportive atmosphere where they can play, learn and grow in non-competitive and cooperative ways.

Accreditation

CHSFS's Early Childhood Education Centers are accredited by the Council on Accreditation.  Most CHSFS Centers are also accredited by the National Academy of Early Learning Programs, a division of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Our Commitment to Staff

We believe that the most important factor effecting the quality of Early Childhood Education is staff.  Our staff are an essential part of our rich tradition of providing outstanding care for children.  We select dedicated professionals who are educated in child development and who have a commitment to children.  In-service training is conducted regularly.  Staff members are encouraged to extend their capabilities and opportunities for advancement through further course work and professional affiliations.  Staff receive comprehensive benefits, along with wages.

At Children's Home Society & Family Services, we believe that adults working with children need to be accepting, respectful, nurturing, responsive and supportive of children. It is important for children to develop strong, nurturing relationships with the people who care for them.  It is also important for the people who care for children to know and understand not only child development, but also each child as an individual.  (refer to career opportunities)

Educational Approach

Children's Home Society & Family Services is a member agency of the Child Welfare League of America and embraces the League's Philosophy of Early Childhood Care & Education as follows:

We must provide our children with settings and opportunities that:

• Encourage discovery and support and safeguard inquiry, whether in the form of questions or experiments with reality
• Promote a sense of accomplishment with self-esteem through sincere appreciation by friendly adults or peers
• Provide adult role models who can help them along the road to responsibility
• Help children participate actively with peers in small groups as well as with understanding adults so that they can develop a positive outlook and attitude toward life and themselves
• Teach children to understand cultural and ethnic diversity and to respect those who are different from themselves

At CHSFS, this philosophy is melded with the High/Scope Curriculum in our classrooms.  (For information about High/Scope, refer to Parent Resources.)