Words like “community” and “collaboration” come up often in Cecilia Scott-Croff’s conversation.
As the dynamic and personable director of BMCC’s Early Childhood Center, Scott-Croff characterizes her mission as one of “creating a real learning community for children a place where they can begin growing into lifelong learners, critical thinkers and individuals who feel good about themselves.” Teachers figure importantly in that effort, she says, but what really makes the difference “is their ability to work collaboratively with parents and the community at large.”
Starting kids off on the right foot Located in [N310], the Center is geared to serve up to 92 children in its pre-school program (ages 2-6), 17 children within its school-age program (6-12) and 15 in its family network, which provides home-based services to families with children younger than two.
In addition, the state-of-the-art Center is a site for one of the New York City Department of Education’s Universal Pre-Kindergarten Programs, which provides an enriched learning environment for four-year olds “and gives them the head start they need for the wonderful, but sometimes scary, world of public education,” Scott-Croff says.
Accommodating a parent’s timetable The Center’s programs are clearly designed to meet the work-life needs of student parents “and provide them with the highest levels of service,” Scott-Croff says. “Some families need services during daytime hours Monday-through-Friday; others may need only evening or weekend services. We’ll do everything we can to address their requirements and if we can’t, we’ll provide appropriate referrals.” Aided by a $30,000 City Council grant, the Center recently expanded its weekend programs for school-age children.
Notwithstanding her strong commitment to parents, Scott-Croff has always promoted a view of early childhood education that puts children first. “Everything we do at the Center is carefully thought out to meet the educational, social, emotional and physical needs of the children who pass through here,” she says. Classroom layout, daily schedules, learning materials even the words a teacher uses with a given child in a particular situation reflect a philosophy “that is totally child-centered.”
But that’s not to suggest a rigid approach to education. Professional and student development, together with community and parental support “are indispensable to giving children the best we have to offer,” Scott-Croff says. “We’re constantly asking staff and parents for feedback and reflecting on how to do things better. We’re continually reinventing the wheel.”
Visit the BMCC Early Childhood Center for more information or to download an application. Enrollment is open to BMCC student parents or legal guardians; children must have turned two before September 2006.
