We are a Gold Seal and APPLE Accredited Preschool
Licensed and Accredited Child Care & Early Learning Program
All programs of the Learning Centers, including the Afterschool Program as well as the Early Learning Center are fully licensed, accredited and regularly monitored by Broward County Childcare Licensing and Enforcement Section, an agency of the Florida Human Services Department. But each program goes far beyond that.
In addition, the Learning Centers preschool received the Broward County Gold Seal Quality of Care Award for achieving 100% compliance consistently throughout the annual inspections in all areas of child care. Subject Areas of county monitoring include staff requirements, student-staff ratios, condition of facility, toileting and routine care procedures, implementation of health and nutrition programs, proper record keeping, adhering to transportation safety guidelines, providing adequate outdoor space and play time. But we go beyond these basic requirements, and are also accredited by APPLE as a Professional Preschool Learning Environment. Our APPLE accreditation means a program that goes well beyond county rules and regulations to provide the very highest level of care for the children in our program. In addition we are an approved Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Program Provider for the Florida State VPK Program. The Learning Centers has successfully participated in the VPK Program since it was first established in 2006 and has since then been rated as a well performing school each year. Finally, in the Broward County Quality Rating System, a rating system based on detailed evaluations of class room furnishings, equipment and staff performance we received 4.5 out of 5 stars. All staff members at the Learning Centers are background checked, fingerprinted, CPR and First Aid certified.
Our Early Learning Center is also a Gold Seal, APPLE Accredited School
The Early Learning Center also received the Broward County Gold Seal Quality of Care Award for achieving 100% compliance consistently throughout the annual inspections in all areas of child care, and is also accredited by APPLE as a Professional Preschool Learning Environment. In addition, all staff members at the Early Learning Center are background checked, fingerprinted, and CPR and First Aid certified.
Our Afterschool and Summer Camp Programs
The Afterschool program was awarded with the School Age Unit Certificate of Endorsement, issued by the Florida Association of Child Care Management. This program also follows the Florida Standards for Quality Afterschool Programs (Florida Afterschool Network) to ensure that elementary students receive appropriate care and effective homework assistance. Each afterschool staff person is an experienced and credentialed professional, who provides homework assistance, small group instruction and art activities.
Our Transportation, Kitchen and Playgrounds also Meet High Standards
Our Early Learning Center playground is a fun place to enjoy the outdoors, develop motor skills, and release some energy!
The First Presbyterian School bus is inspected annually, equipped with seat belts and an alarm system to ensure that all passengers safely exit the bus. Our drivers have a commercial driver’s license and a commercial driver’s health certificate. Our bus is registered with the Department of Transportation as a vehicle used for commercial purposes. The Learning Centers is also equipped with a full commercial kitchen. The Learning Centers holds a Food Service Certificate verifying that all food preparations and services are authorized and within the food preparation safety guidelines. Housekeeping and kitchen staff hold Florida Food Handler Certificates. Finally the Learning Centers, including the Afterschool and Enrichment Program are a member of the Arbor Day Foundation and participate in the Nature Explore Initiative, a collaborative project of the Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Educational Research Foundation in an effort to provide high standards of outdoor and nature education for children.