Mission Statement

We promote the growth and development of all children and families through supportive education in a safe, nurturing and accepting environment.

Philosophy

Campbell Child & Family Center’s program is based on developmentally-appropriate practices as outlined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) in their mission statement:

  • Appreciate childhood as a unique and valuable stage of the human life cycle.
  • Base our work on knowledge of how children develop and learn.
  • Appreciate and support the bond between the child and family.
  • Recognize that children are best understood and supported in the context of family, culture, community, and society.
  • Respect the dignity, worth, and uniqueness of each individual (child, family member, and colleague).
  • Respect diversity in children, families, and colleagues.
  • Recognize that children and adults achieve their full potential in the context of relationships that are based on trust and respect.
  • https://www.naeyc.org/about/mission

We respect families as the child’s first teachers and understand our primary role is to support each unique family and culture. We not only care about the educational enrichment and daily needs of each child, but also the needs of individual families we serve. Open communication between staff and families is vital for building a healthy partnership to ensure optimal growth of the children in our center.

Purpose of Campbell Child & Family Center

Our objective is to:

  1. Create and model an environment which allows for a high quality early care and education program for families of Fort Lewis College students, faculty/staff and from the community. This includes serving and meeting the needs of diverse populations while providing a strategic framework, which addresses priorities of family involvement, quality curriculum, program planning, and trained classroom teachers.
  2. Provide opportunities for Fort Lewis College students to satisfy their educational requirements and prepare them to work professionally with children in a variety of settings. Campbell Child & Family Center works to provide a unique learning opportunity for students in multiple disciplines.
  3. Provide families the opportunity to observe their children at any time during the day.

Teacher as Primary Caregiver in Toddler Classrooms

Setting up a system of primary caregiving establishes an environment in which meaningful and lasting relationships can develop between caregivers and children as well as between caregivers and families. These relationships rest on satisfying relationships within the care giving team, which call to mind the principle of continuity of care.

All the children in our center will have a Primary Caregiver. The primary-caregiver system ensures that every child has a “special” teacher and that each parent has a primary contact.

NOTE: Keep in mind, however, that ― “primary” does not mean exclusive. Children should not become completely dependent on the presence of one person. The other staff in the classroom will develop a warm relationship with your child and have caring and learning interactions as your child explores the learning environment.

Continuity of Care

Our Continuity of Care philosophy helps build secure relationships between children and their primary caregivers. We create a safe, predictable environment by maintaining daily care giving routines. This enables our teaching staff to learn each child's individual cues and provide quick responsive care. Classroom arrangement and materials are continuously adapted to meet the changing developmental needs of the children in the class. This practice fosters strong attachments and benefits the children by giving them caregivers who know them and their parents well.