Mission

The mission of Creative Beginnings is first and foremost to provide high-quality child care and education to families in the community. Secondly, Creative Beginnings strives for excellence in program and service and positions itself as a model of best practice for early care and education in the wider community.

Commitment

We are committed to providing a safe, nurturing and creative learning environment for children. The children are engaged in a play-centered environment designed for the particular group served. All activities throughout the day are considered learning opportunities including separating and returning with the family, eating meals, caring for ones self and the classroom, resting and interacting with other children and adults. The curriculum is designed to promote the skills and dispositions necessary for success in life including school and community participation. The guidance methods give attention to the needs and differences of the individual children enrolled. All staff members participate in ongoing training provided by state and local agencies as well as professional in-services at the center.

Hours and Fees:  (see brochure for fees - Download Brochure)

Creative Beginnings housed within Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Center/Easter Seals of Louisville at 9810 Bluegrass Parkway, Louisville, KY 40299. The entrance to Child Care is on the rear left side of the building.

Hours: 6:00 am - 6:00 pm
Monday - Friday
Year Around

All classroom placements are based on the child's development and center availability.

Weekly fees are based upon, age and classroom assignment.

Call (502) 371-1210 for more information

What We Do:

Create a learning environment that is developmentally appropriate and that works to meet your child's needs

Provide opportunities to nurture creativity in your child.

View parents/caregivers as partners in their child's early childhood experience.

Assess your child to provide the appropriate instruction to increase cognitive, physical, social, language and self-help skills.

Foster appropriate levels of independence.

What We Provide:

Creative Beginnings provides developmentally appropriate curriculums and activities, developmental screenings by teachers and other professionals, daily progress reports, access to our parents through our open-door policy.

We provide a safe, positive environment for your child.

All staff is CPR and First Aid Certified and has had comprehensive background screenings

Classrooms are bright, clean and inviting, the playground is enclosed and access to the building is tightly controlled.

How Does Our Curriculum Help Children?

Literacy - language and literacy is an integral part of our curriculum. We promote a language-rich environment where children are encouraged to freely express themselves, engage in social problem solving and use their words. Stories, conversations and observations narrated by the children are written and posted in the room and used in portfolios. Written words in scribble form are displayed as well. Opportunities for language and literacy are integrated into all learning centers and throughout the day's activities.

Math - math activities expose children to numerical concepts such as counting, number recognition, one-to-one correspondence, more or less than and grouping objects into sets. Hands-on experiences integrated throughout the day but especially in the block area, fine motor area, and during other projects encourage the understanding of mathematical concepts.

Science - science projects allow children to explore, touch, examine, question, take risks and discover. A sensory center is set up year round to encourage daily experimentation with a variety of science concepts. (The Healing Garden is a great science lesson.)

Art - art provides children with opportunities for expanding their creative expression and imagination as well as discovering aesthetic pleasure from art itself. Fine motor skills such as holding a paintbrush and cutting paper are developed when children create art. We encourage self-directed art projects that are unique for each child.

Large Motor - our encouragement of gross motor skills is tailored to the individual level of each child. A large sandbox is also part of the outside play experience. Our playground provides slides, climbing areas, large areas for running, balls and push toys. We also have an indoor Atrium that allows for directed physical play when extreme weather does not permit outdoor play.

Blocks - constructive play allows children to create structures of their own design, while developing concepts of size, numbers, shape, and weight. Eye-hand coordination, as well as a sense of accomplishment, is also fostered in this area.

Books - each room has a library of age-appropriate literature for children. These comfortable areas provide a quiet place to read and relax. Book reading strengthens cognitive, listening and language skills.

Dramatic Play - here children put on puppet shows, dress-up and engage in pretend play. This area enhances creative expression and imagination, social role-play, verbal skills and storytelling.

Small Motor - these activities allow children to develop manipulative skills, fine motor control and eye-hand coordination. Some small motor activities include play-doh, painting, stringing beads, geoboards, puzzles and Legos.

Computers - we have computer centers in our preschool classrooms to encourage social engagement, peer teaching, cognitive learning and fine motor skills.

What Happens In A Day?

Welcoming activities - Children may choose activities that help them separate and adjust to the beginning of the day as they transition from home to school. Interest areas are set up around the classroom for children who want to choose a learning activity. Other activities may include stories, informal conversations, rest time or social interaction.

Circle time - is a more structured setting where children are asked to practice self-control, increase attention span and develop listening skills. In the preschool rooms, the children gather as a whole group while in toddler rooms, teachers gather a small group of children. In the infant rooms, teachers do these activities individually with the babies. The children sing songs, practice finger plays and talk about what they would like to learn that day. We encourage children to take turns talking and listening to each other. The teacher may also read a story to the group.

Learning Centers Indoors and Outdoors - for preschool children, the centers include art, blocks, computers, dramatic play, library, listening, math/manipulative, music, science/sensory and teacher directed. In the toddler room, centers are fewer in number and have materials that are designed for their level of exploration. Infants also explore a selection of materials on an individual level. Materials provided are appropriate for the age and the individual interest of the children.

Many of these materials are taken outdoors, weather permitting, where additional activities such as riding and climbing toys are available. We view the playground as an extension of the classroom and go outside daily. A careful balance of active and quiet activities that challenge the children physically, socially and intellectually are provided throughout the learning center period.

Meal times - children share the responsibility of cleaning up and setting up. Self-help skills such as setting the table, washing hands, pouring juice and wiping the table are developed. Lunch and snacks are social times where children learn to help themselves and visit with each other and the teachers. Infant meals are scheduled based on parent information. Babies are held during bottles and lap fed when possible.

Nap times - children are encouraged to rest on their own cot or crib. Those who do not sleep are provided with individual quiet activities such as books and puzzles after a reasonable period of quiet time. Infants rest according to their individual need.

Closing activities - interest centers are available to children at the close of the day. In addition, children are invited to help get the room ready for the next day. Parents are invited to share a few moments with their child to discuss their day and reunite before leaving.

We encourage you to contact our Childcare Director to schedule a tour of our Facility

For information contact: rld@chhs-lou.org or call 502-371-1210