History
Childspace opened its initial center in the Mt. Airy Presbyterian Church in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia in September 1988, serving 20 children aged three months through two years, with an After school program for 40 children in grade k-6th. The Mt. Airy Center relocated to the New Covenant Campus in August 2011, occupying a large 4 story building, Smith Hall. The center has expanded it's capacity serving two classrooms for each age group, Infants ages 4 months through 12 months, Young Toddlers ages 12 months through 2 years, Toddlers ages 2 through 3, Preschool ages 3 up to Kindergarden as well as a Summer Camp and After School Programs serving ages Kindergarden through 5th grade.
Specialties
The Childspace PHILOSOPHY is that children learn by experience. We are an equal opportunity provider. We believe that children must first feel emotionally and physically secure to be able to explore and learn from their environment. We are concerned with all aspects of children's growth: social, emotional, cognitive and physical. We plan our program at each development level to provide opportunities for children to try new things both individually and in groups, make new friends and have fun. Activities are provided in the classrooms, outdoors, in the gym and on trips. Our toys are kept on open shelves for easy accessibility to children. In group activities, we recognize that each child is an individual and we encourage children to express themselves according to their own personalities through art, music, circle time, body movement, games, imaginary play, block play, book time and cooking. We set limitations primarily with regard to the safety of all children. We try to teach children to respect each other's person as well as their feelings and introduce children to the diversity found in society. We attempt to structure the classroom and activities in a way, which allows choice and flexibility within the security of a consistent schedule and pattern of expectations. We encourage parents to get involved in our program, make suggestions and ask questions.