INTERESTING FACTS

The children enrolled at Baruch College Early Learning Center reflect the diversity of the Baruch College student population.

The Baruch College Early Learning Center provides licensed on-site child care for children aged 2 ½ to 5 years old. We can accommodate approximately 40 student families. Our population of children reflects the rich diversity of Baruch.

The philosophy and the curriculum of the program emphasizes an atmosphere of exploration for children and recognizes the primary importance of relationships between children and the adults who care for them. We believe children learn through their play and everyday experiences. A balance of individual and group activities provide children with opportunities to engage in singing, dramatic play, sand, water, blocks, storytelling, and art materials. Readiness activities are presented throughout the day to help children build on skills needed for writing, reading and understanding of numbers. Daily outdoor play and trips in the surrounding neighborhood extend children’s experiences.

For many children this is their first group experience outside of their home and the Center seeks to make this transition as comfortable as possible. Children are in mixed aged groups.

The Early Learning Center provides two well-equipped cheerful rooms with additional space for more active or quiet activities. A children’s lending library is available to families.

Each classroom is staffed with a certified teacher, assistant teacher and a part-time aide. Music and woodworking classes enrich the program.

The Center sometimes serves as an observation site for other departments at Baruch. It also serves as a practice site for students in the Early Childhood Education Masters Program at Hunter College.

The Child Care Center provides support to student/parents with twice monthly meetings with an experienced parent counselor. She is available to parents for initial consultation and referral

Parents are welcome at any time in the school and we encourage close contact through phone calls, parent-teacher conferences, potluck suppers and family lunches. Parents can use the parent library and are encouraged to join the Student Parent Association at Baruch. Family trips and parent workshops are offered in conjunction with the child care program.