Child Development/Early Childhood Department

Kilgore College offers a valuable opportunity for students to learn through hands-on experiences in laboratory settings. Students conduct their laboratory experience in the nationally accredited Kilgore College Early Childhood Center under the supervision of model early childhood teachers. Additional laboratory experiences are provided by a variety of other approved licensed early childhood programs in the community.

The Kilgore College Early Childhood Center strives to be a model of excellence in early childhood care and education. The center serves as a training laboratory for students preparing for careers in the early childhood professions while providing services to young children and their parents.

Program Philosophy
We believe that the early childhood years are the most important years of a person's life. During the years from birth to about age seven, most of a child's personality, cognitive ability, language proficiency, and social skills are well established. Participation in a quality early childhood program enhances a child's development in each of these areas. Indeed, research studies have shown clearly that children who participate in such quality programs have developed cognitive, language, and social skills beyond those children who do not have such an opportunity. We also believe that young children learn through active participation. As children interact within a well-planned, and developmentally appropriate environment under the guidance of trained teachers, they "create" knowledge. We view children as active rather than passive learners. We feel our center must serve both the child as well as the parents. Parents are the first and most important educators of children. We see each child and family as unique; therefore, we strive to meet individual needs in a respective manner.

Curriculum
Our curriculum, High/Scope Approach to Preschool Education, features a variety of enriching experiences to match each child's developmental needs. All experiences will emphasize the child's need to have an active role in planning, participation, and evaluation. The High/Scope teacher creates an "active-learning" environment within the classroom. Activities are based upon child development principles as outlined in the "key experiences," as well as the interests and abilities of the children. The "key experiences" are organized into domains of creative representation, language and literacy, social relations and initiative, movement, music, classification, serration, number, space, and time. A total of 54 "key experiences" are addressed within these categories. Each day the children will have the opportunity to participate in individual, small group, and large group activities. Our classrooms are organized into work areas which feature "hands-on" materials that stimulate children's learning. Each day our teachers present planned learning experiences for small groups, as well as the whole class. Every part of the child's day is important. Outdoor play, snacks and meals, rest time and field trips are considered a part of the "active learning" curriculum.

Parent Involvement
The Early Childhood Center is a place for children and parents. We anticipate that parents will want to be involved in their child's preschool experience. Parents are encouraged to come to the center at any time - no need for advanced notice. We hope to take advantage of any special talent and time that parents might have to offer. Each child's teacher will keep parents informed of his or her progress and always be ready to accept any concerns a parent might wish to share. We also encourage regular parent-teacher conferences, home visits and participate in special social events at the center.

Services
Presently, the Early Childhood Center offers a full day program for 36 children ages two through four (on or before Sept. 1). We are open to members of the community, Kilgore College faculty, staff and students. We have three classroom groupings: two-year olds, three-year olds and four-year olds. Our group sizes are small and we have a low staff-child ratio meaning that each child will receive ample individual attention Each day we serve a nutritious hot noon meal and two nutritious snacks, morning and afternoon. An additional late afternoon milk snack is offered to children who are picked up after 4:30 p.m..

Head Start Collaboration
In addition to serving as a training laboratory for college students, the Early Childhood Center also collaborates with Region VII Educational Service Center to provide a Head Start Demonstration classroom. We are pleased to have this opportunity to expand the role we play in the East Texas area.

Date and Hours of Operation
The Early Childhood Center is open from late August through mid-May. (Varies year to year with Kilgore College calendar.) We observe the Kilgore College holiday schedule for staff. We are open from 7:15 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Tuition and Fees
Tuition for the full-day program is $95 per week, per child. Aftercare (after 3:30) for the 4's (Head Start) class is $45 per week. A $60 non-refundable registration fee is due at the time of enrollment each year. (Serves as supply fee for fall semester.) A $60 supply fee is due for each child at the beginning of the spring semester.

Enrollment Information
Kilgore College is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. If you are interested in enrolling your child, please contact the Kilgore College Early Childhood Center at (903) 983-8293. We encourage interested parents to schedule a guided tour of the center. Our center is located on the Kilgore College campus. Our mailing address is: 1100 Broadway, Kilgore, TX 75662.