About The Cuddle Zone Learning Center
About The Center
The Cuddle Zone Learning Center, Inc. opened in December 1995. We are licensed by the PA Department of Public Welfare and the PA Department of Education. We participate in Keystone Stars and are a Star 4 facility. The Cuddle Zone is a PA PreK Counts site for three and four year olds and we have an on-site full day Kindergarten program. We enroll children ages six weeks through ten years old. The center is locally owned and operated by Michele McEllroy. Our staff are caring and nurturing professionals with required clearances and credentials.
Hours of Operation
The Cuddle Zone Learning Center is open to provide child care from 6:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Security
The Center is equipped with security cameras throughout the building. All classrooms are monitored from the office monitor. The lobby has a locked entrance. Access to classrooms is limited to those people on your emergency form. They must provide a photo ID in order to be admitted into the building. The doorbell is equipped with a camera that allows the classrooms to view the lobby area.
Admission
Enrollment is open to all children age 6-weeks through 10 years provided the program can meet the needs of the child and a space is available. Please call the center to schedule a tour and receive an enrollment packet. Prior to/or upon your child's start date you will need to complete the following:
Curriculum
Creative Curriculum is the basis for all activities, interactions and materials in all of our classrooms. Our program practices are developmentally appropriate and classroom environments are set up to be hands-on and center based. Our lesson plans use the PA Early Learning Standards to identify skills the class is working on. Within the first 45 days of enrollment, an Ages and Stages Screening Tool will be completed on all children and the results will be shared with parents. Assessments are done quarterly using either the Ounce Scale for Infants and Toddlers or Work Sampling for Preschool and PreK students. We create portfolios of your child's work and development. Parent Teacher conferences are held twice a year, in November and March (April for Kindergarten).
Activities that Enhance Our Curriculum
Children may participate in a variety of activities offered at The Cuddle Zone Learning Center. Both indoor and outdoor learning experiences are provided. There is plenty of time for active play, as well as time to rest. Children have opportunities to learn and grow through:
Meals are Included in Our Services
The Cuddle Zone provides nutritious meals that are prepared on site, and meet the U.S. Department of Agriculture standards for school food programs. Call by 10 am if you will be late but your child will be here by their lunch time.
Transportation
We provide transportation for School Age children (Grade 1 and Older) to Ritter Elementary (Allentown) and Sheckler Elementary School (Catasauqua). Transportation is included in our tuition rates for School Age children.
Parent Involvement
Communication between caregivers and parents is very important. Your questions and comments are always welcome. We have an "open door" policy - parents are always welcome to stop by and visit! Parent conferences are available upon your request, in addition to the scheduled conferences in November and March (April for Kindergarten). Monthly newsletters are distributed to all families. We ask for email addresses to communicate important information to parents. Classrooms use communication books, whiteboards and daily report cards to provide parents with detailed information regarding daily happenings. Suggestions or any notes to management may be emailed or placed in the black payment box.
About The Center
The Cuddle Zone Learning Center, Inc. opened in December 1995. We are licensed by the PA Department of Public Welfare and the PA Department of Education. We participate in Keystone Stars and are a Star 4 facility. The Cuddle Zone is a PA PreK Counts site for three and four year olds and we have an on-site full day Kindergarten program. We enroll children ages six weeks through ten years old. The center is locally owned and operated by Michele McEllroy. Our staff are caring and nurturing professionals with required clearances and credentials.
Hours of Operation
The Cuddle Zone Learning Center is open to provide child care from 6:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Security
The Center is equipped with security cameras throughout the building. All classrooms are monitored from the office monitor. The lobby has a locked entrance. Access to classrooms is limited to those people on your emergency form. They must provide a photo ID in order to be admitted into the building. The doorbell is equipped with a camera that allows the classrooms to view the lobby area.
Admission
Enrollment is open to all children age 6-weeks through 10 years provided the program can meet the needs of the child and a space is available. Please call the center to schedule a tour and receive an enrollment packet. Prior to/or upon your child's start date you will need to complete the following:
- Registration fee of $25 per family
- Signed contract
- Application and Emergency Contact/Parental Consent Form
- Copy of immunization records
- Health Appraisal Form (due within 30 days of start date)
- State Food Program Forms
- Security deposit (equal to one week's tuition) and first week's tuition
Curriculum
Creative Curriculum is the basis for all activities, interactions and materials in all of our classrooms. Our program practices are developmentally appropriate and classroom environments are set up to be hands-on and center based. Our lesson plans use the PA Early Learning Standards to identify skills the class is working on. Within the first 45 days of enrollment, an Ages and Stages Screening Tool will be completed on all children and the results will be shared with parents. Assessments are done quarterly using either the Ounce Scale for Infants and Toddlers or Work Sampling for Preschool and PreK students. We create portfolios of your child's work and development. Parent Teacher conferences are held twice a year, in November and March (April for Kindergarten).
Activities that Enhance Our Curriculum
Children may participate in a variety of activities offered at The Cuddle Zone Learning Center. Both indoor and outdoor learning experiences are provided. There is plenty of time for active play, as well as time to rest. Children have opportunities to learn and grow through:
- Creative Experiences: Clay and play dough, finger, tempera and water color paints, plus other art media.
- Quiet Time: Books, flannel board stories, books on tape, puzzles and manipulatives.
- Organized Games and Sports
- Social Interaction with Peers and Adults
- Science Experiments – Mathematics - Language Games
- Role/Dramatic Playing
- Music and Movement: Songs, CDs, dancing, etc.
- Fields Trips: For School Age, Kindergarten, Preschool, and Pre-Kindergarten programs
(All trips require parental permission and some may require a nominal fee.) - Computers: Computers are available for educational purposes within the School Age, Kindergarten, Preschool, and Pre-Kindergarten classrooms. All computers are equipped with strong controls and filters to eliminate any inappropriate materials.
- Soccer Shots, Computer Tots and other classes we find appropriate for the children are offered throughout the year. These classes are optional and are paid by the parent directly to the organization.
- Special Events with Parents
- Mother's Day Luncheon: Friday before Mother's Day
- Father's Day Social: Friday before Father's Day
- Halloween Parade: October 31st or Friday before if Halloween falls on weekend.
- Holiday Celebration: Last weekday before Dec 24th at Snack time.
Meals are Included in Our Services
The Cuddle Zone provides nutritious meals that are prepared on site, and meet the U.S. Department of Agriculture standards for school food programs. Call by 10 am if you will be late but your child will be here by their lunch time.
- Meals, snacks, and beverages are included in our tuition rates for all children on table food. Similac Advance and baby cereal is provided to infants.
- Whole milk is provided for ages 1 – 3. 2% milk is provided for ages 3 – 10.
- We serve breakfast from 7:30 - 8:10a.m. (7:15 for School Age Children).
- A morning snack is offered in our Preschool/Pre-Kindergarten classrooms. An afternoon snack is offered in all classrooms.
- Lunch times are: 11:00 for Young Toddlers, 11:15 for Older Toddlers, 11:30 for Preschool, 12:00 for PreK1, 12:30 PreK2, Kindergarten and School Age.
- Menus are included in your enrollment packets and are displayed in the lobby and classrooms. Please notify management, in writing, of any food allergies or special dietary needs your child may have.
- You may pack a cold lunch if your child does not eat what is being served that day. Lunches brought from home are stored in their cubby until lunch time, therefore use an insulated lunch bag with an ice pack, if necessary.
Transportation
We provide transportation for School Age children (Grade 1 and Older) to Ritter Elementary (Allentown) and Sheckler Elementary School (Catasauqua). Transportation is included in our tuition rates for School Age children.
Parent Involvement
Communication between caregivers and parents is very important. Your questions and comments are always welcome. We have an "open door" policy - parents are always welcome to stop by and visit! Parent conferences are available upon your request, in addition to the scheduled conferences in November and March (April for Kindergarten). Monthly newsletters are distributed to all families. We ask for email addresses to communicate important information to parents. Classrooms use communication books, whiteboards and daily report cards to provide parents with detailed information regarding daily happenings. Suggestions or any notes to management may be emailed or placed in the black payment box.