New Child Care Center Now Open!

The Naples Children and Education Foundation (NCEF) is the main private funder of the new child care center on the Edison campus in Collier County called NCEF Early Childhood Development Center. Several of the NCEF trustees strongly suggested that we design this facility to serve children from lower income homes while also providing a classroom setting for future educators and a demonstration site where existing and potential providers of early care and education can experience a Reggio Emilia-inspired program in operation.

 

This child care center is managed by Collier County Child Care Resources, Inc., a non-profit child care training and provider agency that has been serving families in this area for forty-one years. This center serves up to 108 children who range in age from infancy through five years.

 

The underlying operating philosophy of the center is based on the Reggio Emilia approach. The Reggio Emilia schools were first started in Northern Italy after World War II. Based on the work of Loris Malaguzzi, Reggio inspired schools are known for their belief that children are capable learners, parents are equal partners with teachers in educating their children, the environment functions as an additional “teacher”, and that teachers continually reflect on their practice and are lifelong learners.

 

The curriculum is characterized by long-term projects that result in in-depth learning by children. Family and community members are active members of this, their center. There are accommodations for students in early childhood programs both at the college and at the high school teaching academy level to observe and/or participate in the life of the center. In keeping with the Reggio Emilia model, special attention is paid to weave arts and artists (performing and visual) into the fabric of the center. Integrated within the building will be dedicated spaces for parents to meet, health screeners and therapists to work with children, teachers to prepare materials and share ideas and resources, and classes and community seminars to be held.

 

The seven classrooms are aesthetically pleasing, bright, cheerful spaces designed to nurture and support the inquisitive nature of young learners. There are areas for both quiet and active play and exploration. There are many wall size windows that allow for an easy flow between indoor and outdoor areas and encourage an awareness of, and respect for, the environment. Natural elements, light, and native plants will abound. Artwork (photos, sculpture and paintings) throughout the building are that of local artists and art students as well as that produced by the children of the center. Documentation of the children’s in-depth project work are respectfully displayed for both the children and their parents to review.

 

The outdoor area is as important as the inside as a learning environment. Children, as young scientists, are able to construct their own theories about the world and are supported and encouraged to test out those theories through authentic interactions with the environment and with others to arrive at an understanding and appreciation of their world.

 

According to Loris Malaguzzi, one of the original creators of the Reggio Emilia philosophy, “Each child is unique and the protagonist of his or her own growth. Children desire to acquire knowledge, have much capacity for curiosity and amazement, and yearn to create relationships with others and communicate.”