University of Michigan North Campus Children's Center
The North Campus Children's Center, established in 2011, brings together the rich history of two of the University of Michigan's long standing early childhood education programs, the University of Michigan Children's Center and the Northwood Child Development Center. The merger of these two programs brings a total of more than 50 years of valued, early childhood experience to the "new" center.
The University of Michigan Children's Center was established in 1980 as a program serving approximately 190 children from infants through age six. UMCC served as a resource for the University faculty's scholarly agenda and provided students interested in the development of young children with a setting for observation, participation and research.
The Northwood Child Development Center opened its doors in 1991. It was established as an answer to meet students need for full or part time care for their children. Experienced and well trained early childhood teachers and low teacher-to-child ratios enabled the program to nurture the unique potential of each child. Because of the diverse, international population the sharing of cultural traditions, foods, stories and talents has always been encouraged.
North Campus Children's Center serves children from three months to five years of age. The center provides young children with a variety of full-day, half-day and part-week options in a secure, nurturing and stimulating environment serving faculty, staff, students and members of the community at large. It also provides opportunities for University students to observe, participate, conduct research and complete their practicum to receive their degrees in early childhood education.
We are committed to creating a strong partnership with parents, families and children by providing opportunities to understand their own unique heritage and an appreciation for others'. Teachers and the center will share information with parents through informal observations, parent-teacher conferences, family and center events, newsletters, emails and spontaneous and planned conversations. We recognize this as an essential part of the success of our program.
In all classes, the curriculum is designed to nurture social behavior and enhance the child's self concept. The developmentally appropriate program includes a balance of child- and teacher-initiated activities to build into a well-defined and consistent daily routine. A hands-on approach to learning is implemented to provide a child-centered curriculum with teacher guidance. Our play-based curriculum is designed by teams of professional teachers in a way that is ever evolving and adapting to meet the needs and interests of the children. Attention is given to social, cognitive and physical development. Children will have the opportunity to enjoy both large and small group activities that include music, art, cooking, math and science activities and other enriching activities.