LARAMIE COUNTYCOMMUNITY COLLEGEChildren's Discovery Center
The Children’s Discovery Center offers a comprehensive early childhood education program that serves the needs of children and families of students, faculty and the community. The center offers a full-time program for children from infancy on to kindergarten, and a part-time preschool program for children ages 3 1/2 - 6. The center is accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Children's Discovery Center Philosophy
We believe that children are strong, intelligent, competent, and constantly learning.
We believe that families have the right to be full participants in their children's education.
We believe that the teachers at the Children's Discovery Center are caring professionals trained to support the children in their learning, and the parents in their participation.
We believe that teachers are researchers engaged in the education of new knowledge as they work alongside the children in collaboration with other adults in the campus community.
We believe that children have a right to a beautiful, caring, responsive environment in which to grow and learn together with other children and adults.
We believe that children's play is extremely vital to healthy physical development, social/emotional development, and cognitive growth.
We believe that children, parents, and teachers are all learners and teachers.
We believe that the college students who participate in our programs at all levels of their study from beginning of observations to semester-long internships are unique, integral, and valuable members of our learning/teaching community.
Application
Parents or guardians can fill out a CDC Child Application if they wish to enroll their child with the center. The application can be completely filled out online. Once the application is submitted, your child is placed on the wait list, and we will be contacting you within five business days to let you know we have you on the list.
Our wait list is prioritized by the following factors:
- Siblings enrolled in the program
- LCCC Employee or Student
- Community Members
For more information and to register, parents can call 307.778.1303 or email the center.
About the Center
The LCCC Children’s Discovery Center's commitment to quality includes a curriculum based on more than 75 years of early childhood development research. The Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers and Preschool Aged children is a nationally recognized curriculum that identifies goals in four areas of development: social/emotional, physical, cognitive and language. Parent-teacher conferences are held twice a year and are designed to individualize goals for each child. Lead teachers must have a minimum of a Bachelors degree in early childhood or related fields and associate teachers must have a minimum of a CDA/Associates degree in early childhood or related fields.
The LCCC Children's Discovery Center also has several part-time employees to help cover lunch breaks, maintaining ratios and covering the full-time teachers and associate teachers when they are out on leave. These individuals can be LCCC students or community members. These employees must be at least 18 and have graduated high school or have their GED.
6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
Full Time Monthly Tuition:
- Infants & Toddlers (6 weeks-24 months) ~ $1093.00
- Twos (25-30 months) ~ $841.00
- Junior Preschool (31-42 months) ~ $801.00
- Preschool/PreK (3.5-6 years) ~ $784.00
Part Time Monthly Tuition:
Part Time tuition depends on the number of half or full days your child is enrolled. Currently, we only have Part Time options for children ages 3 and up.
For our Part Time program, we do ask for a minimum of 2 days a week, as this makes routines easier for the child.
Half Days (8:00 am-12:00 pm OR 1:00 pm-5:00 pm)
- 2 - 1/2 days a week ~ $248.00/month
- 3 - 1/2 days a week ~ $372.00/month
- 4 - 1/2 days a week ~ $496.00/month
- 5 - 1/2 days a week ~ $620.00/month
Full Days (available 6:30 am-5:30 pm)
- 2 days a week ~ $322.00/month
- 3 days a week ~ $483.00/month
- 4 days a week ~ $644.00/month
The Children's Discovery Center offers a sibling discount for families with more than one child enrolled in the center.
The center encourages anyone interested in learning more about the facility to schedule a tour by calling 307.778.1303.
The Children’s Discovery Center is accredited by National Association of Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
The Children’s Discovery Center is an academic lab environment for LCCC students. This opportunity allows college students from a variety of fields such as dental hygiene, nursing, education, psychology, etc. to gain experience working with children while also exposing the children to unique opportunities that enhance their education.
The Children's Discovery Center Family Handbook contains additional information regarding the Children's Discovery Center.
Program Options
Infant Program
The infant classroom is designed for infants 6 weeks through 12 months. The curriculum in the infant room is individualized, while working to establish routines for the children to prepare them for the toddler classroom. A day in the infant room includes daily activities and circle time to allow the infants to explore various materials, toys, art, and experiences to provide opportunities to practice important developmental skills.
Toddler Program
The toddler classrooms are designed for children 12 to 30 months old, to continue to build on relationships and experiences learned in the infant classroom as they explore their expanding environment and acquire new developmental skills. The toddler classrooms help the children to learn basic sign language, as well as introducing the Zoo Phonics Curriculum.
Junior Preschool
The preschool classrooms are designed for children 2.5-3.5 years old. The children are assessed to determine their individual developmental needs. In a developmentally appropriate setting, children are presented the opportunities they need to become successful learners as they master milestones on the Creative Curriculum Development Continuum, and continue with the Zoo Phonics Curriculum.
Preschool/Pre-K
Children ages 3.5 to 6 years old continue to make progress on the developmental continuum. Their individual skills and strengths are linked to the Wyoming Early Readiness Standards to better prepare each child for entry to kindergarten. Teachers keep parents informed of the timelines and expectations for children to enroll in kindergarten. Many children are able to read by the time they go to kindergarten round-up.
Part-Time Preschool/Pre-K
Children ages 3.5 to 6 years old are provided with experiences and activities to help them develop social/emotional, physical, cognitive and language skills. Their individual skills and strengths are linked to the Wyoming Early Readiness Standards to better prepare each child for entry to kindergarten. Teachers keep parents informed of the timelines and expectations for children to enroll in kindergarten. Many children are able to read by the time they go to kindergarten round-up. There are a variety of part time options for children ages 3 to 6, please call the business office to discuss the part time options available.
Early Childhood Resources
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- Child Care Exchange
- Children Now
- Children's Defense Fund
- National Association for the Education of Young Children
- National Coalition for Campus Children's Centers
- Wyoming Department of Family Services
- Wyoming Quality Counts