Riverfront Children’s Center, accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children since 1996, provides high-quality, individualized education for children ages 12 weeks up to Kindergarten. The center is open from 6:00 AM-5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, for 51 weeks a year (closed between Christmas and New Year’s).
Every classroom has at least one teacher with a degree in Early Childhood Education, with 67 % of staff holding a Bachelor’s degree or higher. To provide a stable, nurturing environment, mixed-age classrooms support attachment and relationship development. Teachers work in partnership with families in guiding the development of each individual child.
With a long-term goal of preparing all children to be successful learners, Riverfront focuses on PLAY-BASED LEARNING, with an emphasis on SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
The curriculum is based on the Office of Early Childhood Early Learning Developmental Standards. Regular assessments can identify possible developmental concerns. Teachers and staff support parents in contacting Birth to Three or the public schools when needed and work directly with school personnel to implement Individualized Education Plans.
WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT RIVERFRONT?
Taking the Indoors Out supports the science and math curriculum and takes advantage of the outdoor learning environment. Flower and vegetable gardens, digging areas with water tables and mud kitchens, a gazebo, and the Peace Garden, with ample seating for children and adults to observe, explore and enjoy sensory and mindfulness activities together during play.
Literacy is infused throughout the curriculum with multiple options for increased enhancement, including CT Storytellers Little Listeners program and Husky Reads. A partnership with Bill Memorial Library provides weekly story time for every classroom. Classrooms walk to the library in good weather and at other times the children’s librarian comes to the center.
Community Around Us—Classrooms can be regularly seen walking around the neighborhood learning about the community through conversation and visits to the post office, Bill Memorial Library, Avery-Copp House, Fort Griswold, and the waterfront.
Accreditation—National Association for the Education of Young Children’s re-accreditation is a five-year, self-reflective process that establishes the ongoing quality of an Early Childhood Education Program. Recently Riverfront completed this cycle, and the final score was 97.5% overall.
2021 OUTCOMES
83% OF RIVERFRONT CHILDREN MET AGE-APPROPRIATE DEVELOPMENTAL AND EDUCATIONAL MILESTONES
OUR 26 FIVE-YEAR-OLDS WERE PREPARED TO ENTER KINDERGARTEN FOR THE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR.
AS A RESULT OF SCREENING AND EARLY INTERVENTIONS, 10 CHILDREN WERE IDENTIFIED AND RECEIVED INTERVENTION SERVICES.