Greenbelt Children's Center, Greenbelt

Greenbelt Children's Center is located in the Greenbriar Condominiums Community Center on the corner of Greenbelt Road and Hanover Parkway. [Map it] The child care center is located in the lower level of the building surrounded by beautifully landscaped grounds. The center opened in 1976 and was acquired as Greenbelt Children's Center in 1990. Classroom 3, for five year olds and Before & After Elementary School children, is located to the immediate right of the front door entrance in the open space of the center, with the Director's office immediately adjacent to Classroom 3. Classroom 2 has threes and young fours, and is on the left as you enter the center and Classroom 1, which is the Prince Georges Public School Pre-k, is at the far left adjacent to Room 2. The facility has a full kitchen, a large walk-in closet, and an office for staff located at the back of the center, which are shared by all three classrooms. A drinking fountain, separate bathrooms for boys and girls, and sinks for handwashing are centrally located. The center has a private playground with climbers, slides, sand box, swings, playhouse, construction blocks, outdoor easel, water play tables and a storage shed for wheeled vehicles and movable large muscle equipment. Other amenities at this facility include swimming and wading pools adjacent to the playground and available to our program each summer and a large room for meetings or special programs, made available to our center twice per year. Preschool (Ages 2.5 to young 4 year olds) This program is the beginning experience for young children who enroll at Greenbelt Children's Center. Children are immersed in a nurturing and print rich environment, with an emphasis on social skills and individualized learning. Teachers plan for a wide variety of experiences in all domains: Language and Literacy, Mathematical Thinking, Scientific Thinking, Social Studies, Physical Development, Personal and Social Skills and The Arts. Lesson plans are posted weekly so that parents are aware of all the planned activities, including weekly cooking projects and Show and Tell. We have found this to be an important communication tool for parents to help in discussing the experiences with your pre-school child at the end of the day. Activities are developmentally appropriate, learning through play, teacher directed and self selected activities. Children select Lending Library books that are signed out for parents to read at home and then return. Child assessment utilizes the Work Sampling System of observation and child portfolio development and Parent-Teacher conferences are offered twice per year. Extra programs your pre-school child will participate in include Spanish Language Classes, Music Instruction, Physical Education Instruction and an artist in residency program with Wolftrap for the Performing Arts, all included at no extra fee. The staff to child ratio is 1 teacher per every 6 children. Breakfast and afternoon snacks are served as well as the milk at lunch time, parents pack lunches from home. Pre-Kindergarten This program is for children who turn four by September 1st of the year entering Pre-Kindergarten. The program in Room 1 has enjoyed a special partnership with the Prince George's County Public School System through a Judith P. Hoyer Grant from the Maryland State Department of Education. In addition to the same parameters as the pre-school program (see above), this classroom will enjoy going on field trips, taking home Back Pack At-Home Activities to do with parent and will participate in a drama and literacy program with InterAct Story Theatre. The Houghton Mifflin Curriculum is used in addition to Hugs & Tugs and other supplements, such as a classroom subscription to "Weekly Reader Pre-K" by Weekly Reader. Children in this program use a Management Board to plan for their daily work in the classroom learning centers. Two GCC Pre-K Teachers and a full time public school teacher from Greenbelt Elementary School work together providing a print rich and nurturing environment and were featured in a story by USA Today in December 2007. Alternative Kindergarten/Pre-Kindergarten Alternative K/Pre KindergartenThis program is for children turning 4 or 5 years old by September 1st of the year entering the program. Children in Classroom 3 enjoy all of the same activities mentioned in the two descriptions above plus use the McGraw-Hill Reading Wonders Reading/Language Arts Curriculum and McGraw-Hill My Math Curriculum. Children in this classroom receive very individualized interactions with teachers due to the small group environment. Children in this program use a Management Board to plan for their daily work in the classroom learning centers. Work samples sent home for you to view will have "At-home" activities for you to do with your child. Your child will be also build skills through participation in shared writing and interactive writing experiences. Your child receives a classroom subscription to Scholastic "Let's Find Out". Your child turning five years old at the beginning of the year receives a certificate of attendance at the completion of the school year that shows proof of their alternative kindergarten experience for entry into the first grade for the next school year. For information on enrollment and registration. Before & After School Program Your school-age child attending Greenbelt Elementary School in the first through third grade is offered a relaxing, creative, and social environment, taking into consideration the length of the academic school day that the children have attended. After school activities include snack time, outdoor play, homework help, cooperative games, arts and crafts and age appropriate board games, in addition to classroom learning centers. Activities also include Adventures in Peacemaking and Conflict Resolution to support the children in developing valuable problem solving skills. Parents are expected to support the program's expectations that children will solve problems using words. Summer Program Swimming at the pool. Your child will have the opportunity to participate in an enriching summer program during the weeks that public school is closed. Planned activities include special weekly themes and special events such as Funtastic Fitness, Mad Science, Catriona's Castle, a Family Night Potluck dinner with children's entertainers and pony rides. Summer Activity Plans are posted to keep you informed of the daily activities of arts and crafts, science and nature, story time, group games, outdoor play as well as weekly cooking projects and reading for recreation Your child will go swimming every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday as part of the regular program and you may sign your child up for optional swimming lessons with the Greenbriar Pool. Tuition is charged only for the weeks that you reserve in your written reservation schedule. A weekly non-refundable Summer Activity Fee is submitted with your schedule in advance and covers the additional staff and lifeguard hired to make swimming a safe activity as well as the budget for the enriching special event programs.