Date: Fri 25-Sep-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: MICHEL

Quick Words:

Merryhill-Child-Care-Center

Full Text:

Merryhill Child Care Center Earns Accreditation

(with photo)

BY MICHELE HOGAN

Merryhill Child Care Center has officially received accreditation with the

National Academy of Early Childhood Programs on Tuesday, September 22.

Only one other center in Newtown, Trinity Day School, is accredited.

Therese Hychko, director of Merryhill, attributes their success to many

factors. She spoke about tailoring the pre-school program to best prepare

children for kindergarten, meeting individual learning needs of students,

teaching decision-making, but mostly, she commends the dedication of her staff

for the clear success of the program.

In a process of continuous improvement, staff meet, reflect on their teaching,

and develop ideas together. She said, when new teachers start, they are often

surprised that they are expected to change the toys every week, until they

understand how it stimulates the children's sense of curiosity.

Some are surprised that the word "no" is a no-no. (Instead, positive language

is used to re-direct young children to something that they are allowed to do.)

Some are surprised that instead of time-out (where a child who has misbehaved

sits away from the group until they have settled down) staff are often

expected to facilitate discussions leading to reasonable and mutually

acceptable solutions between students who disagree.

But through discussion among staff members, and self-reflection, the staff

grow to see how the educational practices lead to enhancing the central goals

of the program: of fostering the children's sense of self-worth, sense of

curiosity, and communication skills.

From meeting with kindergarten teachers at both Hawley and Sandy Hook School,

Merryhill has refined its program, adding basic math to its calendar of

activities.

Kindergarten teachers said that they wanted children to have self-help skills

and be eager learners, more than the ability to write their name or even hold

a pencil properly. (Learning through play, Merryhill teachers help the

students develop the fine motor skills that they need before they learn to

write.)

Michelle Kean, head pre-school teacher, said that teachers bring lots of

different ideas and "everyone's opinions get heard, we see what works."

She said that "I grew a lot since I came from the other center... I learned

how they [children] behave when you treat them really well. It makes

everything easier."

More than meeting the children's educational needs, the child care center aims

to be a home away from home. Ms Kean said "the kids seem very happy, and

that's the most important thing. We bond with our children."

Nine years ago, when she opened the center, Ms Hychko set a goal for the

center to be "the next best place to have your child, if they couldn't be with

you." She smiled and said, "We're there."

The process of accreditation took about 18 months, and involved an exhaustive

study of the program, including anonymous questionnaires for parents and

staff, and interviews during an on-site visit from the National Academy.

Merryhill, located at 49 Queen Street, has 32 spaces in the program, ranging

from 6 month old infants through six-year-old children.

Ms Hychko said that now that the process is completed, they are planning a big

picnic for sometime in October. All the families who have ever had children at

Merryhill will be invited to celebrate with them.