Child Development Center
Video: What is the Child Development Center?
Child & Family Services
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CDC Classroom
Focus on play and exploration
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What is the Child Development Center?

The CDC is accessible to parents who are participating in Willamette Family services. The Willamette Family Child Development Center (CDC) is licensed by the Child Care Division of the State of Oregon and is the only program of its kind in Lane County. Inclusive classrooms offer a nurturing environment and are designed to address the developmental and specific needs of children from 6 weeks through 5 years of age within their specific age group.

The CDC has been awarded a 5 Star in the QRIS/SPARK program. “Spark, formerly known as Oregon's Quality Rating and Improvement System or QRIS, is a statewide program that raises the quality of child care across the state. Many kinds of providers and educators participate in Spark, from large centers to in-home care, working with children from birth through school age.”

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Child Development Center (CDC) Program Philosophy

The CDC is accessible for parents who are participating in Willamette Family services.

  • Learning about the world through play, reflection, and exploration  
  • Using mindfulness, creative thinking, and problem-solving skills
  • Making choices and practicing individual decision-making
  • Modeling positive ways to interact with peers and adults
  • Respecting individual views, perspectives, and the rights of others
  • Developing a positive self-esteem, self-concept, and self-worth
  • Growing cognitively, physically, socially, creatively, and emotionally
  • Validating that all emotions and feelings are accepted
  • Focusing on social emotional development by acknowledging that our behavior and expression of emotions must be safe with ourselves, others, and the environment

We believe that these experiences will ultimately help children feel empowered while developing a positive sense of self. Learning to use our personal power appropriately is foundational in creating a better world that embraces kinder, confident, and receptive individuals.

Benefits of the Child's Development Center

  • A focus on play and exploration ensures children thrive in their development and enter school ready to learn
  • Parent(s) involvement in their child’s educational and daily activities
  • Daily activities that build strong attachments and bonding essential for strengthening families
  • Experienced staff who meet or exceed annual education and training requirements

Funding

There are no sources that adequately provide fund- ing for the Child Development Center. Partial state funding, a few small grants, and donations provide support for some classes. Ongoing community contributions are greatly appreciated.

What can I expect?

  • Licensed childcare by trained and experienced staff
  • Mentoring
  • Parent-child activities
  • Developmental screenings
  • Nutritious meals and snacks
  • Referrals to appropriate services
  • Low teacher-to-child ratio
  • Focus on family reunification and stabilization
  • Support with immunizations and healthcare
  • Extensive wrap-around services
  • The CDC uses TS Gold: which is an ongoing observational system for assessing children from birth through kindergarten. It helps teachers to observe children in the context of every day experiences, which is an effective way to learn what they know and can do.
  • Preschool classroom uses: Al’s Pals, a nationally recognized and evidence-based comprehensive social–emotional learning curriculum and professional development program designed to meet the specific needs of preschool children, is now part of the Teaching Strategies family. Al’s Pals helps develop the foundational skills children need for success in school and life by promoting social-emotional skills like self-control, problem solving, and healthy decision-making for children.

How do I know if my family qualifies?

If you are participating in Willamette Family Treatment Services and your child is between the ages of 6 weeks through 6 years of age, you may qualify to access the Child Development Center.