Child Development Center of the Bluegrass

CDCBs philosophy is based on the principle that children are unique individuals who develop at their own pace and need a supportive, challenging environment that includes age-appropriate opportunities for learning new skills. CDCB also believes in the value of:

the inclusion of children with and without disabilities a team approach to services therapies that are integrated into the context of the family or the normalized routines of the preschool or classroom activity-based instruction community-based education experiences.

We believe that:
? children are unique individuals who develop at their own pace
? optimal learning happens within the context of a secure, supportive, and challenging
environment
? children should have the opportunity to participate in age-appropriate activities designed
to promote cognitive, communication, motor, social emotional, and self-help skills
? children are active learners who are progressing through a sequence of development that
proceeds in a predictable way towards greater complexity, organization, and
internalization
? there are optimal periods for certain types of learning, and play is the appropriate vehicle
to promote development in young children
? when children with and without disabilities have the opportunity to play and learn
together, everyone benefits
We believe in family-centered services
We acknowledge in everything we do that the family is the foundation in every childs life. The
role of the family in the childs education is primary and essential, and that CDCB is a temporary
partner with the family in providing early education opportunities. We welcome the connection
between home and school that we believe is essential to every childs growth.
We believe in inclusion
Children with and without disabilities have much to learn from each other. Children with
disabilities progress faster as they strive to do what the other children are doing. The children
without disabilities benefit from:
? small classes
? superb adult:child ratios
? language and literacy enriched classroom environments
? computer and age-appropriate software in every classroom
? fully equipped facility and playground
? lessons in respect, affirmation, and inclusion
Both groups of children experience enhanced self-esteem from being together.
It is our hope that when the children of CDCB become adults, our community will benefit from
their early lessons in valuing, respecting, and appreciating everyone including those who are
different from themselves. Through these early experiences they can grow to be individuals who
understand that everyones lives are immeasurably enriched through opportunities to learn from
each other.
We believe in a team approach to childrens services
When childrens educational and therapy services are provided by a team, the therapists have the
opportunity to teach every member of the team to address the childrens speech/language,
occupational, and physical therapy needs during all activities. Every member of the team can
address the same goals for the children and provide the children with countless opportunities to
practice the skills they are learning in a natural environment. The communication that takes place
among team members enables everyone to completely understand each child.
We believe in therapies integrated into the context of the family or the normalized routines of the
preschool or classroom
Children who receive speech, occupational, and physical therapies provided within the secure
context of their natural routines progress faster and generalize their learning to other situations
more successfully.
We believe in activity-based instruction
Children learn best from each other and from their environment. They need opportunities to:
? make choices
? participate in small and large group activities
? interact with age-appropriate materials that are selected to address certain skills
? enjoy music and art
? learn from dramatic play
? develop fine and gross motor skills
We believe in community-based education experiences
We are committed to giving our children opportunities to enjoy activities available within their
communities. Program staff work together to develop ideas for field trips in the community that
provide unique learning experiences. CDCB also invites groups, (such as the Lexington
Childrens Theater) to share their programs with our students.