About Early Childhood

The Nelson Mandela Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC), located on 30th and Curtis Avenue, provides educational services to children ages 2-5 years. The center has a year-round, full day schedule, open Monday through Friday and closed on major holidays.

The vision and activities of the ECDC are designed to be a catalyst that helps children reach their educational goals and fulfill their potential. The hope is that by providing a high quality early education program, scholars who leave the ECDC are prepared for kindergarten wherever they choose to go to school.

Curriculum

Curriculum and Reading Readiness

At Nelson Mandela Early Childhood Development Center we have a class size of 16 scholars. 1 to 8 ratio.

Our chosen curriculum is HighScope. HighScope curriculum is a research-based curriculum that fosters learning through play.

Learn More About Highscope: https://highscope.org/our-practice/curriculum/

Nelson Mandela Elementary Connection:
Scholars learn the same behavior expectations that will be used at the elementary level as well as the school Mantra. All teachers at the ECDC are trained in the first full level of the Spalding reading curriculum that is utilized at the elementary school.

14-month kindergarten:
The ECDC is a feeder school for the elementary school program. For the scholars who are five years old and will enter kindergarten in the fall, they spend the year and summer preparing for kindergarten. In the summer, scholars will remain with their ECDC teachers, but switch to eating meals at the elementary school and wearing the elementary school uniform. They will also be joined by new scholars from the community who did not attend the ECDC.

Key components of the Early Childhood Building:

Gym: A large, indoor space where scholars can run, jump, and be as loud as they want to be.

Spacious classrooms: Scholars have room to play, learn, rest, and make friends.

Furnishings and materials to support learning: Our building and classrooms follow the guidelines of the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS), which includes materials for sensory play, a block center, a library, dramatic play, a science area, and supplies to make classroom areas come to life.

Family Engagement