University of Michigan-Flint

Nationally Accredited and High State Rating

• UM-Flint is one of only three NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) accredited programs in Genesee County and the only accredited program serving infants and toddlers
• Completed 3rd year annual report as required by NAEYC
• Curriculum inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy which was developed in Italy and places emphasis on how young children are capable and competent
• Great Start to Quality rating improvement system initial program review achieved a 5 star rating

ECDC enrollment at full capacity

• Average of 146 children enrolled
• Head Start classroom served 15 children of UM-Flint college parents for a full day program
• Approximately 21% of the enrolled families of the ECDC receive child care subsidy through the Department of Human Services 
• 22 children participated in a cap and gown preschool graduation in the William S. White Auditorium, June 2012
• Specialized care given to special needs children
• Enrichment classes offered: Martial Arts, Growing Up Green, French
• School age summer program averaged 25 children a day, age six through twelve

Qualified Staff – Professional Activity and Development

• Many full-time staff presented early childhood topics at fall in-service training
• Early Childhood expertise was shared in college classrooms of UM-Flint, Mott CC, and Baker of Clinton Twp by adjunct faculty members Della Becker-Cornell and Wendee Hooker
• Three Head Teachers presented at the national level Orlando, FL: Wendee Hooker, Tara Hyatt and Kimberly Curry
• Nine Head Teachers presented at the MiAEYC annual conference in Grand Rapids in March: Mary Lynn Gottler, Wendee Hooker, Tara Hyatt, Kimberly Curry, Betty Sheehy, Carolyn Miller, Diana Hensley, Susan Ford along with Director Della Becker-Cornell
• Three Head Teachers presented in Howell at the Community Sharing for Healthy Caring Early Childhood conference in November: Wendee Hooker, Tara Hyatt and Kimberly Curry
• Three Head Teachers presented for Jackson Area Early Childhood Conference at Baker College in March: Wendee Hooker, Tara Hyatt and Kimberly Curry
• Three consecutive interviews for TV-25's Early Show on the Effects of TV on Children by Wendee Hooker
• ECDC full-time staff engaged in a Teaching Circle: Making Children's Learning Visible
• UM-Flint, Mott Community College and Baker College had over 40 interns complete their practicum hours at the ECDC
• Head Teachers participated in Individual Education Plans with local school districts and obtained special services for deserving children
• Head Teacher, Wendee Hooker, trained several nursing students on how to implement the Denver II assessment screening
• ECDC staff model health and fitness by training for the Crim
• Little Caesar’s Fundraiser in February 2012 raised funds for staff professional development
• Mid-Michigan Reggio Voices for Children collaborate was developed with other Reggio Inspired programs: CMU, Lansing CC, Fenton World of Wonder, Building Blocks of Highland and Okemos Nursery School

Exciting opportunities offered to children, families and community

• Family-Teacher conferences occurred in the fall and spring, with the infant families meeting with staff at 4, 8, and 12 months of age 
• Parent representatives from each classroom participated in an active Family Advisory Board that met monthly with the Director to discuss program events, policies and procedures
• Connections with the Physical Therapy Department in educating college students about the fine and gross motor development of young children through assessments and through use of the swimming pool
• Curriculum Night occurred in each classroom in September 2011 for families to meet and greet each other
• Fall Festival occurred in October 2011 with activities in every classroom and a huge turnout of families
• Preschooler Parade with International Students, celebration of music and flags, November 2011
• Make ‘n Take occurred in December 2011 with activities in the hallway outside the ECDC for children and visitors to make and take with them
• In recognition of March is Reading Month, children and staff dressed as their favorite book character for a whole week and participated in a book parade with Clifford the Big Red Dog
• Grand Person event during March is Reading Month brought several significant people to enjoy literacy activities in the classrooms with their special child
• The ECDC supported the annual UM-Flint Women's Night Out event by providing child care with engagin choices and materials in the Activities Room at the Recreation Center, March 2012
• Each classroom held a family event specific to their enrolled community of families
• An Xacti video camera was acquired through a Giving Back Program pursued by Head Teacher Mary Lynn Gottler
• A Sound Garden $900 grant was acquired from MiAEYC Jacqueline E. Miller Endowment Fund through the vision and efforts of Tammi Couture
• International Night took place in March 2012 with each classroom depicting a different ethnicity
• Annual Art Show in April 2011 in the lobby of the William S. White Building represented every child
• ECDC Art was displayed in the University Center Art Gallery for three weeks in April 2012
• Provided tours, observation site and training for area Centers and High School child development classes
• Participated in the Earth Day Celebration by hosting a table and facilitating the annual egg hunt, April 2012
• Family functions at the Children's Museum and Bicentennial Park
• Children participated in the ECDC Crim club and trained twice a week in preparation for the big event