Welcome to the Child Development Centers
Welcome to the Child Development Centers! At the CDCs, we truly value and care for every child entrusted to us. We know it takes a lot of trust to leave your child in someone else's care, and we take that responsibility very seriously. Our caring staff is here to support your family in raising happy, healthy, and confident kids. We're excited to be part of your child's journey and look forward to sharing many joyful and memorable moments with you both.
CDC mission statement
The mission of the CDC is to cooperate with parents to nurture the development of enthusiasm, confidence and early life skills that are necessary for each child’s success in school and later life. By working together, we can give your children the affection, encouragement and training that is essential for achievement and fulfillment in coming years.
Philosophy and background information:
The first Child Development Center was established in 1975 through Western Michigan University's Department of Psychology. In 1979, it became a non-profit organization as part of the Foundation for Behavioral Resources in Augusta, Michigan. Today, there are six CDCs located in Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties. These centers are dedicated to supporting children and families in these areas.
Staff training and Certification
Our daycare staff are highly trained and dedicated to providing the best care for your child. They are trained in the Creative Curriculum, which helps guide children's learning through hands-on, engaging activities. All staff members are certified in CPR and First Aid to ensure your child's safety. Many of our staff have earned their Child Development Associate (CDA) credentials, and we encourage others to work toward this important certification while at our centers. We strictly follow state-required child-to-staff ratios to ensure each child receives the attention they need. Above all, our staff genuinely love working with children and treat every child with the same care, respect, and kindness they would want for their own children.
CDC mission statement
The mission of the CDC is to cooperate with parents to nurture the development of enthusiasm, confidence and early life skills that are necessary for each child’s success in school and later life. By working together, we can give your children the affection, encouragement and training that is essential for achievement and fulfillment in coming years.
Philosophy and background information:
The first Child Development Center was established in 1975 through Western Michigan University's Department of Psychology. In 1979, it became a non-profit organization as part of the Foundation for Behavioral Resources in Augusta, Michigan. Today, there are six CDCs located in Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties. These centers are dedicated to supporting children and families in these areas.
Staff training and Certification
Our daycare staff are highly trained and dedicated to providing the best care for your child. They are trained in the Creative Curriculum, which helps guide children's learning through hands-on, engaging activities. All staff members are certified in CPR and First Aid to ensure your child's safety. Many of our staff have earned their Child Development Associate (CDA) credentials, and we encourage others to work toward this important certification while at our centers. We strictly follow state-required child-to-staff ratios to ensure each child receives the attention they need. Above all, our staff genuinely love working with children and treat every child with the same care, respect, and kindness they would want for their own children.
1000
Children12
Years3650
Cups of CoffeeOur enrollment fees are $81 per child, or $106 per family. Tuition varies by center, and can be obtained by contacting each center directly.
All children must have an annual health appraisal from their pediatrician as well as an updated vaccination report in their file.
All CDC daycares maintain up to date licenses with the Michigan Department of Education.
Every staff member and volunteer must submit to a comprehensive background check with the Michigan State Police.
The CDCs follow Michigan LARA Licensing Rules for child care centers in each room or well-defined space. For the maximum group size and ratio of child care staff members to children, please see below:
Age to Child Care Staff Member Ratio
Infants and toddlers (birth-30 months) –Ratio: 1 to 4
(2 ½ -3 years) – Ratio: 1 to 8
(3 - 4 years) - Ratio: 1 to 10
(4 – 5 years) –Ratio: 1 to 12
School-agers (5- 11 years)- Ratio: 1 to 18
To keep everyone safe and happy, we don’t allow kids to bring toys or books from home. If something from home gets lost or broken, the CDCs are not responsible. However, your child can bring a small comfort item, like a stuffed animal or soft toy, to use during naptime. It must be small enough to fit in their nap bag.
At the CDCs, we will only let your child go home with you or the people you’ve listed on your child’s emergency card. If someone we don’t know (but who is on your emergency card) comes to pick up your child, they must show a photo ID. We follow this rule to keep all children safe. If you need to add someone new to your child’s emergency card, please talk to your Program Director.
Yes! We provide breakfast, hot lunch, and afternoon snacks for all children. All meals are served with milk.
We require diapers to be provided by parents. Wipes are provided by the center, but if your child has sensitivity issues, we ask that you bring in your own wipes.
If you need to schedule your child for an additional day of care during the week, please check availability with your Program Director. Schedule changes must be made by Tuesday of the week before care is needed. (Additional charges may apply.)
At the CDCs, we can’t stop a legal parent from picking up their child. If you're going through a separation or divorce and have a legal custody order or parenting time plan, we need a copy of these documents. This helps us make sure your child’s safety is protected.
When your child is scheduled to attend the CDC, there is much that goes into scheduling staff for each day to maintain proper ratios. For this reason, you are responsible for paying for all days that your child is scheduled to attend.
Children of any age will experience a lot of infection in their first year of group child care. For kids whose first year of child care is during infancy, bouts of illness may be even more frequent. In fact, they may have as many as 8 to 12 more colds than a child cared for at home without exposure to siblings or other children. The good news: during the second year of attending child care, the number of respiratory illnesses begins to fall. This is because exposure to so many germs causes rapid development of the immune system.