Superstition Mountain Elc

The Superstition Mountain Early Learning Center Apache Junction (ELC) and is licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services. We are located on the Central Arizona College Campus. We provide care and education for children of all abilities ages 2 years (potty training) until they enter kindergarten. The Early Learning Centers are programs of Easter Seals Blake Foundation (ESBF), a non-profit social service agency. ESBF is based in Tucson but has programs for children and families that reach across the state. Please visit our website http://www.easterseals.com/blakefoundation for more information.

At our Early Learning Center, we are committed to providing early care and education supported by research and will apply best practice at every possible opportunity. Our plan to stay current on what the research is showing to be best practice includes enrolling in Quality First and becoming accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Quality First is the Quality Improvement and Rating System funded by Arizona First Things First. As participants in this program, we will have on-going formal assessments of our programs at least every 2 years, will receive additional program enhancing supports which include an early childhood coach and will have access to financial incentives to support enhanced quality. NAEYC is a voluntary accrediting program that evaluates the systems we have in place to achieve and sustain a high level of quality. We are in the process of becoming accredited by the NAEYC and hope to have accomplished this goal by spring 2021.

THE EARLY LEARNING CENTER'S PHILOSOPHY

The Early Learning Center is committed to providing quality, comprehensive, culturally sensitive early childhood programs, which are respectful of the unique needs of each child and family.

We believe that children learn best
- when healthy attachments and respectful relationships occur between the parents, the child and caregiver
- when a supportive partnership with parents exists that allow families to be the ultimate decision makers for their child, with support, resources and ideas from the caregivers
- when the environment is safe and interesting; when it invites exploration and allows for choices
- When enriching experiences are intentionally planned to support the development of each child as an individual.
- When all routines and interactions are seen as opportunities for learning to happen.