Resurrection Children's Center, Alexandria

Resurrection Children's Center is a non-sectarian, non-profit, cooperative preschool supported by the Church of the Resurrection. The school admits students of any race, color, religion, national and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs and activities. RCC is an inclusion preschool. Children with special educational needs or disabilities are included in each class. Resurrection Children's Center has been developing creative approaches to early childhood education since 1970. It receives numerous grants from private foundations and service organizations for the development and implementation of its innovative programs. From 1972-78 the school was funded as a national model demonstration preschool by the U.S. Office of Education. Since then, the school has received many awards and commendations from public and private organizations, locally and nationally, for its outstanding work. The Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC), an organization that guides parents nationwide, and The Danny Chitwood Early Learning Institute, which provided consultation and training, began their outreach to the community at RCC. A Little About Us Resurrection Children's Center is a private, non profit, non-sectarian preschool founded in Alexandria in 1970. Resurrection Children's Center admits children of any race, color, national or ethnic origin and is licensed by the State of Virginia. Our Program Resurrection Children's Center offers a dynamic and innovated early childhood education program for 45 children. Children at Resurrection Children's Center participate in community service projects and look forward to weekly visits with residents at a Goodwin House, our neighboring retirement community. Outdoor activities are a priority and children spend at least 30 minutes each day on a well-equipped playground. Resurrection Children's Center also provides annual vision and sensory integration screenings. Our Mission Resurrection Children's Center offers a model for family-centered, inclusive, cooperative preschool education to the community. Our mission is: to provide children with active learning experiences which facilitate social-emotional, cognitive, and physical growth through the use of the developmentally appropriate HIGH/SCOPE curriculum; to promote inclusive classrooms where diversity is treasured and children with differing needs, abilities, and cultural backgrounds learn to grow together; to create a supportive environment where parents are active participants in the classroom, work as a team with teachers, and become effective, life-long advocates for their children. Curriculum At the heart of RCC's program is the nationally recognized and developmental High/Scope Curriculum. This internationally acclaimed educational system views children as decision makers and active learners who learn most naturally through play. Within the context of play, the curriculum emphasizes independent thinking, problem solving, and the development of socialization and cognitive skills, as well as creative exploration through art, music, and movement. Children leave Resurrection Children's Center as confident and eager learners, ready for the challenges of kindergarten. In addition, goals and activities from the Handwriting Without Tears program and Ramps and Pathways (designed to provide hands on exploration of the physical sciences) are woven into the daily routine in each classroom as appropriate. Parent Education and Involvement In our cooperative preschool, all parents work in their child's classroom on a rotating basis. This gives parents the opportunity to take an active role in their child's first learning experience away from home. Resurrection Children's Center also offers a supportive parent education program, including monthly coffees and a parenting hotline. Formal parent-teacher conferences are held twice a year. The Staff Teachers and administrators are trained, caring, and skilled in assessment and individualized planning. They work closely with families to create an effective educational program for each child. A speech and language therapist, an occupational therapist, and an educational consultant are on staff to guide and support teachers and parents and work with children who need additional services. Teacher-Student Ratio Each class is limited to 9 to 12 students and is conducted by 2 highly qualified teachers and a parent helper. There is a ratio of 1 adult to 3 students in the youngest class and 1 adult to 4 students in the older classes. Community Support Resurrection Children's Center depends on community support, corporate and foundation grants, and individual donations to fund its unique program. It participates in both the United Way and the Combined Federal Campaign. The Church of the Resurrection houses our program and the congregation has provided strong support for the Center since its founding. Other community organizations that support Resurrection Children's Center include: Katherine Pollard Maddux Memorial Mental Health Foundation Alexandria Day Nursery and Children's Home (an extension of the Alexandria Rotary Club) Ivakota Association, Inc. The Kathy Wilson Foundation Washington Forrest Foundation The Kiwanis Club of Alexandria Alexandria-Lincolnia Lions Mt. Olivet Foundation Financial Assistance A limited amount of financial assistance for tuition or therapy is available.