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History

After students voiced a need for quality child care on campus in the early 1970's, President Hoffman appointed a Child Care Student Group to examine the feasibility of opening a child care center at the University. With the Board of Regents approval, the University of Houston Child Care Center was constructed and opened in February 1975. From there, the Center gradually grew in response to the increasing demands of the UH community for child care services. In 1989, the addition of four classrooms expanded the Center's capacity to 153 children, which is where we are at today.

Mission

Our mission at UHCCC is to provide exemplary early childhood education, for the children of students, staff and faculty at the University of Houston, by offering a model program tailored to ensure the quality of a child's daily experiences while building a foundation for future learning.

Philosophy

At UHCCC our primary goal is for children to feel safe and secure. Additionally, we believe that a learning environment that fosters respect for cultural diversity and that utilizes an eclectic approach to education allows for optimal growth and development of young children. Young children's developmental tasks are to build trust, learn social skills, begin mastery of academic skills and develop positive self-esteem. In order to best support these tasks, our program strives to provide developmentally appropriate activities, well-trained and consistent staff and a safe and healthy learning environment. Also, throughout the whole learning process we believe parents are children's first teachers; thus, we work to support parents in their efforts to guide their child's development as well.

Core Values

Standards of ethical behavior in early childhood care and education are based on commitment to core values that are deeply rooted in the history of our field. At UHCCC we have committed ourselves professionally to:

• Appreciating childhood as a unique and valuable stage of the human life cycle.
• Basing our work with children on current knowledge of child development.
• Acknowledging and supporting the close ties between the child and family.
• Recognizing that children are best understood and supported in the context of family, culture, community and society.
• Respecting the dignity, worth and uniqueness of each individual child, family member and colleague.
• Helping children and adults achieve their full potential in the context of relationships that are based on trust, respect and positive regard.

Curriculum Goals

The early years in a child's life set the tone for future learning. Our goal at the UHCCC is to stay current with research in child development so that we are able to build a foundation for each child that lasts a lifetime. Our curriculum is designed with specific objectives for each age level and child; however, the following curriculum goals are incorporated into every classroom:

• Developing safe and healthy habits in young children.
• Fostering positive self-esteem.
• Providing opportunities for creative expression.
• Supporting the development of social skills.
• Supporting cognitive problem-solving skills.
• Strengthening communication skills necessary for listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
• Enhancing fine motor and gross motor skills.
• Assessing the individual needs of each child.

Consult with your child's teacher for specific objectives addressed in each classroom.

Program Quality / Standards of Excellence

High. quality early childhood education benefits children. Children who experience a quality program are more likely to have greater academic success, enhanced self-esteem and increased self-control. UHCCC aligns the program and curriculum with national ( www.naeyc.org & www.advanc-ed.org) and state guidelines and is licensed by Texas Department of Family & Protective Services