Knowledgeable and Educated Teaching Staff
Most of our teachers have a four-year degree in early childhood education, or related field. Collectively, with our current teaching staff, we have over 100 years of teaching experience! We love to share that expertise with the children and families in our program! The teachers have many resources to pull from to keep the learning fun and developmentally appropriate for each child.
Loving, Christian Environment
We are part of the Saint Ambrose parish and school and together we teach all of our children about God’s special love for everyone. We share and teach the word of God and all the marvels of the world around us. We do this through our daily prayers during group and meal times, as well as through stories, songs and our actions. We celebrate the birth of Christ during the Advent season and at our Christmas programs. We also teach the children about Jesus’ gift of rebirth and life during the Lenten season. Starting in the fall of 2020, we will be introducing The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd https://www.cgsusa.org/ to all of the preschool children. This will be a wonderful introduction to the Mass and just how beautiful God’s love is for all people.
Commitment to High-Quality Programming
We are licensed by the Department of Human Services-Licensing Division. We are also Nationally accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and we have received our Four-Star Parent Aware of Minnesota rating. We make sure that all of our teaching staff are trained in the current best practices in the early childhood field and we provide periodic training throughout the year so that they are able to maintain their continuing education hours and training.
Safety and Security
We have a secure, private entry into the ECEC. All families enrolled in the program are given a 6-digit code that is unique to each family. When a family leaves the program, those codes are disabled. We also have a doorbell system that allows us to see who is at the door, prior to allowing them access to the building. In addition, we participate in monthly fire drills all year and monthly tornado drills from April – September. Because we are part of a larger building, we also practice lock-down procedures. Our training covers many areas of safety and security including our Risk Reduction and Emergency Preparedness Plans, Allergy Prevention & Response, Sudden Unexpected Infant Death and Abusive Head Trauma and other OSHA required safety trainings.
Convenience
Saint Ambrose Church, School, and ECEC are located at the corner of Bailey Road and Woodbury Drive. We are just minutes from the I-94 and I-494 interchanges. The ECEC is located on the SW side of the building, off Woodbury Drive, Door 12 A.
Flexible Programming
We offer both a full day, year round program as well as a half day, school year program. This helps meet the needs of full time working families as well as those who are looking for a shorter day option. Both programs offer the same curriculum base and follow both the NAEYC and Parent Aware standards on early childhood education. Our full day program is open from 6:30 AM – 5:30 PM and serves children from 8 weeks until Kindergarten. Families can choose from 2, 3, 4, or 5 full days. Our half day program runs from September – May and has a two day option (M, W or T, TH) for three and four-year olds and a three day option (M, W, F or T, TH, F) for four and five-year olds. The M, W and M, W, F programs are from 8:45 / 9:00 – 11:30 / 11:45 and the T, TH and T, TH, F programs are from 9:00 / 9:15 – 2:00 / 2:15.
Open Door Policy
Families are always welcome to visit their child or children while they are in attendance at the Saint Ambrose ECEC. Volunteering is also encouraged, but we do require that all of the appropriate paperwork and background checks be completed prior to volunteering in the ECEC or school. We will also provide activities during the day and we invite you to attend those things, when you are able!
On-site Meals and Snacks
We have an on-site chef who is a Certified Food Manager and regulated by the Department of Health. The kitchen prepares meals and snacks daily for the children in the ECEC and school. We partake in the National School Lunch program and nutritional standards are followed. We are a PEANUT / TREE-NUT FREE CENTER. We emphasize the importance of healthy meals and snacks served in our program.
Outdoor and Large Muscle Room Space
The ECEC has a wonderful indoor Large Muscle Room that each classroom uses throughout the day. Classrooms are scheduled to use the Large Muscle Room in the morning and again in the afternoon. In addition to the active play in the Large Muscle Room, we also have two beautiful playground areas. One area is for our toddlers and the other is for the preschool-aged children. The playgrounds are separated by a fence, so siblings are able to see each other while playing outside.
Family Events
We believe families play a big role in their child’s education, starting at this very young age. We want families to be a part of our program and what we do here each day. We do this by providing different activities for families to participate in during the year. In the fall, we kick the year off with an Ice Cream Social. This is a great time for families to visit and get to know one another. Starting in October, we encourage families to start volunteering in the center and in their child’s classroom. In December, we have a Christmas program where all of the children sing songs for their families in the Church. There is also an Art Show and Scholastic Book Fair in the spring along with our Family Picnic. On the Fourth of July we have a big parade, stop at the flag pole to say the Pledge of Allegiance and then finish off with a picnic outside (weather permitting!). All families are welcome to join us for the parade!