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| What is the Building Blocks Laboratory Preschool? |
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The Building Blocks Laboratory Preschool name and
logo symbolize the foundation blocks upon which a healthy child
develops-blocks labeled trust, security, safety, consistency, positive
self-esteem, food, shelter, clothing, etc.
The children who come
to the preschool have had this foundation shaken, or perhaps some
of the blocks are even missing as a result of their life circumstances.
The goal of Building Blocks Laboratory Preschool is to strengthen
this foundation. This cannot be done in isolation, but has the
best chance of making a difference in the lives of children as
staff work together with families and other community services.
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| Who is the preschool for? |
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- Children between the ages of 3-5.
- The
children in our preschool may be struggling in their homes,
at other preschools or daycare centers. They may have been victims
of abuse (physical, sexual, emotional, or neglect). They
may have emotional, social, and behavioral problems, as
well as developmental delays.
- Some live in foster homes, some
in relative placement, and others with their biological
parent(s).
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- The director of the program is Nancy
Campagnoli. Nancy has been with CAPS for eleven years.
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are three classroom teachers with a combined 20 years in
early education and experience with troubled children.
- The preschool has several
volunteers who work in the classroom with the children
(all volunteers and staff at CAPS must undergo a criminal
history check).
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| How do children become part of the
preschool ? |
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- A Judge may order that a child be enrolled in the preschool.
Court orders take first priority.
- We also receive referrals from Oaklawn,
Family Learning Center, Women’s Shelter, Department
of Child Services, private therapists, physicians, daycare
centers, preschools, county health nurses, and other community
agencies, as well as self referrals.
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| What makes it a Laboratory Preschool? |
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Building Blocks Laboratory Preschool
provides a training ground for college interns and area day care
providers to observe techniques used in the classroom when dealing
with the challenging behavior of children. The program helps
professionals to recognize the emotional needs of the children
in their care and helps them to become a healing environment.
Staff observe how to prepare children to learn by dealing with
the issues that interfere with learning.
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| What is the program like? |
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- We have twenty-two children involved in the program at
a time. There are two different classes, based on the
intensity of the child's needs.
- The preschool is in session
Monday through Thursday from 9:00-12:30, all year around.
- Transportation
is provided for children living within a defined radius
of the program.
- Breakfast and lunch are provided at the
preschool.
- The preschool covers a variety of early education
objectives including art, letters, numbers, colors, days
of the week, singing songs, and play at centers.
- The preschool
staff incorporates social skill development into all
of the activities.
- On a regular basis a very special volunteer
teaches children dance, creative movement and role play.
This is an exciting time for everyone in the preschool.
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| Pictures from the Preschool (click
on picture for larger view) |
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| What are the goals of the program? |
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- To provide
a safe, secure, loving environment.
- To acknowledge all feelings and how to channel them into
appropriate behaviors.
- To provide a consistent structure and routine, yet one which
allows children to make choices and experience consequences
as a result of them.
- To help children learn impulse control and anger management
through the knowledge of conflict resolution skills.
- To provide curriculum to address special needs - Talk About
Touching, and Second-Step Violence Prevention Program.
- To help correct developmental delays (emotional, social,
physical, and cognitive).
- To provide children with a variety of experiences which offer
opportunities for success.
- To work closely with families to provide the link between
the program and the home.
- To offer guidance and support to strengthen the family
unit..
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| What does it cost to have a child
at the Preschool? |
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There is no cost to families, but parents must agree to
participate in weekly home visits and complete parenting
classes.
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