La Crosse, Wisconsin (WXOW) ----- New research shows more than half of all 4 year olds spend part of their day at a child care center. The YWCA Child Center is striving to make a difference in the lives of children as early as possible.
While Chelsey Nichols studies at Viterbo…her son Corbin studies at the YWCA Child Center. "This place is more like a family than it is a daycare center now." Chelsey says the center has helped her son become more social. "Keeping the same kind of rules and foundation they're establishing here and transferring it home has really made a difference."
These are rules the YWCA follows across all of their programs. "We want to eliminate racism, empower women, children and families. Our goal is to look at ways that we, at an early age, can work with children." Weibel says children are never too young to learn about respect. "Not that a one year old can understand what the word respect means, but if we start talking to them at 1,2 and 3 they're going to get it by 2, 3, 4, and 5."
The staff says they're learning lessons of their own. "Working with children there's so many scenarios that will come up that you really can't prepare through reading." Some of those lessons…patience… and positive reinforcement. All reasons why Newcomb got into this field to begin with. "If you start teaching tolerance and the ability to accept people for who they are..then you've taught a new generation to think differently."
Nichols says she's confident the next generation of teachers…are preparing her child for the world. "They go above and beyond to make sure that your children are adapting and excelling here." and empowering her because she can go to class with out worrying about her son.
The Early Childhood education Director at the Parenting Place says when choosing a child care center families should make sure its regulated or if its a licensed program. Parents should also ask for references from other parents and visit the program with their child to see how they interact with the staff.
