OUR PROGRAMS
COLLEGE CAMPUS
DAYCARE
19 MONTHS - KINDERGARTEN
Assisting in the development of children through socialization, building relationships, structure, and independent play.
LICENSED
DAY HOMES
AGES 0 - 12
A welcoming environment with lots of opportunities for interaction, engaging activities, and a licensed caregiver to look after your child.
.png)
SUMMER DAY CAMP
PROGRAM
AGES 7 - 10
Teaching children how to mature socially, emotionally, intellectually, and physically. Day camp gives children a sense of community while encouraging them to discover their talents, interests, and values
COLLEGE CAMPUS DAYCARE
COLLEGE CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
MEDICINE HAT COLLEGE RELATIONSHIP
Our child development center and the college have an academic relationship with an educational component. Our program welcomes many MHC practicum students, both long-term and short-term. Students visit us for a variety of educational observations and activities with the children. The children also visit the college when necessary, to support The Early Learning and Child Care students in their learning activities. The college welcomes us for other things as well, such as Christmas tree judging, Halloween parades, reading time in the library, use of the big gymnasium when it's available, and more.
LONGTERM COMMITTED STAFF
Our Parents, Board, and Partners are extremely pleased with the low staff turnover and are very proud of the loyal and committed educators we have on site. The current team of nine employees has 191 combined years of service in the child care field.
FACILITY & GROUNDS
We are grateful that the college maintains our free-standing building and the Grounds Department maintains our outdoor environment throughout all the seasons. We are well taken care of and this allows us to focus on the care of the children.
ENROLMENT & WAITLISTS
Children may be enrolled in the program if they are between the ages of 19 months and kindergarten, and if there is space available within the appropriate age group. When the upper limit is reached for the centre, or for a particular age group, a waitlist is created.
Priority for enrolment from the wait list is first come, first served, except that siblings of children already attending the program will normally receive priority for admission in the interest of family continuity, and the following order of priority will be given to:
-
student parents
-
college employees
-
community families
Please note that parents on the waitlist who turn down a vacant space may be removed from a priority level on that list.
TODDLER CARE
(Ages 19 - 36 months)
Primarily in one room with easy and direct access to outdoor play areas. Small groups of toddlers are cared for by up to two adults.
The emphasis in the toddler program is on meeting their needs to exercise their independence safely and appropriately, in relation to their increasing physical, language and cognitive abilities. Needs to explore and understand themselves and their world are encouraged through make-believe play and by the inclusion of creative experiences including art, music, and stories. As children begin to play and interact together, staff provide models and verbal suggestions to help them do so in appropriate ways, and begin to involve children in planning their experiences.
PRE-SCHOOL CARE
(Ages 3 - Kindergarten)
Three, four, five and six-year-old children are cared for primarily in two rooms with easy and direct access to outdoor play areas. Emphasis in these rooms is focused on the children's needs to further refine their social skills, to take more initiative in their actions and interactions, and to build and maintain positive and healthy self-esteem. As a result, children are provided with many opportunities to make decisions and to become engaged in play and other projects which interest them.
PROGRAMS
DAY HOMES
THE FAMILY DAY HOME PROGRAM
LICENSING STANDARDS
Our day home agency is licensed through Alberta Children's Services. All day home programs are contracted and approved in accordance with the Alberta Family Dayhome Standards.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
COLLABORATION: working together with staff, children and parents
RESPECT: mutual respect in relationships with staff, parents, and most importantly, *the children in care*
INCLUSION: The society welcomes all children and families
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
We understand the value of strong relationships supporting mentally healthy children and adults. We know that a healthy network of support for families contributes to a child who is capable of coping, learning, and thriving. We also know that when we support the family, the parent develops respect for and attachment to the Educator. The child who sees this learns it from the experience.
ADMISSION
Parents may enroll their children in the Day Home program for several reasons:
-
There are no spaces at the centre.
-
The parent prefers a smaller home-like setting.
-
The child is too young for our facility-based program
SUMMER DAY CAMPS
JULY-AUGUST SUMMER PROGRAMS
Our summer camps exist to provide quality summer care for school-age children in a safe and fun environment. The program is offered on-site at Medicine Hat College and is operated by College Child Development Centre, every July and August.
Full days, fun activities, community experiences, field trips, and opportunities to learn.
View the camps and register at
mhc.ab.ca/summercamps
or call MHC registration at 403-529-3844.
