Smith Hill Early Childhood Learning Center Gets a Face Lift with Help from the Community
A Local Funder's Challenge Grant is Encouraging Donations                                                      Donate Now

There’s no doubt about it - Capital City Community Centers' Smith Hill Early Childhood Learning Center needs a face lift!  Because the dull, aging child care space is in stark contrast to the growth and learning taking place within its four walls, Capital City Community Centers launched an Extreme Makeover to spruce up the space and reflect a warm, inviting atmosphere. 
                                                                                                                                  

Since the renovation’s launch in August 2007, local business and charitable organizations have been stepping up to the plate with donations of goods, services and cash.   Projects include floor replacement, window installation, painting, outdoor play space renovation and interior decoration. With a $4,000 challenge grant from Ocean State Charities, the center became even more eager to organize donations from the private sector to finance the project.  We gratefully recognize the following contributors to our Extreme Makeover:

Adler's Hardware
Bob's Discount Furniture
Christiansen’s Fine Milk
City of Providence CDBG
Dunkin Donuts
Home Depot in Coventry, Johnston, Providence, Seekonk and Warwick
Ocean State Charities
The Rug Factory Store
Sherwin Williams in Pawtucket and Seekonk
Target
The Paint Shoppe

But the job is not done; the Center still needs donations of new blinds, carpeting, 5x7 rugs, bean bag chairs, paint, windows, shelves, storage cabinets, lighting, computer games, learning and activity games and books to complete our Extreme Makeover.  Donations can be made – and volunteers can get involved - by calling Christina at 455-3880 x218 or emailing ckettell@capcities.org.

Read our Extreme Makeover flyer

 

Parents Give Early Childhood Learning Programs the Thumbs Up!

In a recent survey of parents of children attending Capital City Community Centers’ two early childhood learning centers, parents gave both child care programs outstanding marks for quality, safety, management and curriculum. 

Parents at the Smith Hill Early Childhood Learning Center and the Woonsocket Early Learning Center were asked in April to comment on the quality of care their children were receiving.  This survey was done in the midst of an intensive staff training and High/Scope curriculum development project underway in both centers since 2006 (for more on High/Scope, click here). With a 90% response rate (80 responses total), parents gave the centers a resounding “thumbs up” in numerous areas.  Respondents were asked to indicate their agreement with 11 statements about various aspects of program quality and safety.  Below are some examples of the incredibly positive response we received on both fronts:

“This program helps my child grow and learn.” 
85% strongly agree   15% agree
“My child enjoys the time that he/she spends in this program.”    
81% strongly agree   19% agree
“I feel welcome at this child care program at any time.”  
89% strongly agree   11% agree
“My child is safe in this child care program.”   
84% strongly agree   16% agree
“There are people at the child care program who can help me if I or my family needs help.”  
77% strongly agree   23% agree

Parents also offered spontaneous feedback on their experiences at both centers.  In response to a question about what they liked best about the care their children received, parents were glowing and diverse in their praise:

“My child is loved and very safe….Safety is very important here.”
“It's like a big extended family.”
“I like the daily reports I receive on my child.  They give me something to talk about with my child at the end of the day.”
“My child loves coming each day.”
“This is the best day care I have been involved with.”
“I like the diversity of the staff and children.”
“The staff are cooperative and dedicated….A very responsible, professional staff.”
“I like the small class sizes….It's a close knit group of children.”

Parents made suggestions for programmatic changes, including a re-evaluation of the late fee structure, extended evening hours, more flexibility on food options and less strict clothing requirements.

Capital City Community Centers is committed to careful evaluation of our programs and continuous program improvement.  We always welcome feedback and suggestions from clients, youth and parents.  To learn more about our top quality early childhood care or to discuss the results of this survey in more detail, contact our Early Childhood Director Linda Cronin at 455-3890 or email lcronin@capcities.org.

Smith Hill Early Childhood Learning Center held its annual Field Day on June 29, 2007.  The Field Day events have been taking place for over 10 years.

The children were involved with paints, sack races, bean bag tossing, water activities, bubble wands and hula hoop races.  All classrooms participated in this event and a picnic lunch was served outside.

It was very amusing to see all of the children interact with each other and enjoy the variety of activities that took place.