Parents

The Northeast Iowa Community College Child Development Center (CDC) believes parents are a child’s first teacher. The CDC makes every effort to keep you informed of all that is going on in your child’s life at the center. Please do not hesitate to ask your child’s teacher or the directors questions you might have regarding routines or activities in the Center.  You may also complete and submit the family questionnaire.

The CDC asks that the staff be informed of family issues, especially changes that may affect a child’s behavior or emotional status. Staff members can assist in a child’s adjustment and understanding of changes only if they are aware of them. This information is considered confidential and personal and is treated with respect and the utmost privacy. Staff members are informed of items only on a "need to know" basis.

Children are encouraged to get involved with their environment. This means that sometimes they will get wet, muddy, sandy, painted or goopy. These are important learning experiences, and the CDC staff wants your child to be comfortable about participating in them. Please send your child in play clothes, so they can participate in all types of experiences without worrying about getting "dirty." Children need to bring a change of clothes, labeled with their name, to be left at the center just in case they are needed. Make sure that your child’s shoes enable them to play hard. 

Outdoor play is also an essential component of our program. Be sure that your child is dressed for the weather. Please send a bottle of sunscreen with your child, labeled with their name, so it may be used as the spring and summer approach. We go outside every day, weather permitting.

Each child should also have a large book bag/tote with his/her name on it. Please make it big enough to carry large paintings, art projects or other items sent home. Your child may bring their favorite blanket for naptime. However, the staff requests that you bring a blanket for your child for naptime that will remain at the center. These will be laundered regularly with our other linens.

We do not supply diapers, baby wipes or bottles. We have Parents’ Choice Iron Fortified formula and Parents’ Choice Soy-Based formula available. If you prefer a different formula, you will need to supply that formula. We do supply cereals and baby food also. If there is a particular brand you prefer to use, you may need to supply that also. Please check with one of the directors as to which brands we currently are using.

There are several items that we request you do not allow your child to bring to the center. Please do not bring:

  • Money
  • Videos
  • Gum
  • Candy
  • Food
  • Toys (especially guns or toys that facilitate violent play)

If these items are brought to the center, the staff will place them out of reach and send them back home with the child. A staff member may request a parent to take the item with them.

Parents are encouraged to volunteer for the Parent Advisory Committee which meets usually twice a year. The purpose of this committee is to ensure parent input into the decision-making processes relating to policies and procedures relating to the center. If you are interested in serving on this committee, please contact one of the directors for details.

The Child Development Center makes every attempt to create an environment that is warm, nurturing, safe and developmentally appropriate. Sometimes there are problems or issues that do arise. If a concern or problem arises, the staff needs to be informed. Please use the following procedure:

  1. Take the problem or concern to the lead teacher in your child’s classroom.

  2. If the concern is not satisfactorily resolved, bring it to the attention of one of the directors.

  3. If there is still no resolution, the faculty advisor or the Associate Vice President for Operations should be contacted.