For some parents in Bloomington, the Hoosier Hills Childcare Center (HHCC) is more than just a childcare facility. It’s a place that helps balance work and family life, while also ensuring quality play and educational opportunities for children. Both the staff and students cherish this fun-filled facility and the sense of community it brings.
In the Hoosier Hills Childcare Center, there are five classrooms, each taking care of different age groups of children, ranging from 6 weeks to 5 years old. They also have a room designed for other activities, such as art, music, and science activities, as well as a playground outside. Their walls are covered with art and pictures, creating a welcoming environment, and they house an abundance of toys with thoughtful staff and teachers aiming to help children reach their full potential.
The site supervisor, Kelli Semchuck, in her third year at HHCC, describes, “I’ve been in childcare for over 15 years. What draws me to it in a simple answer is that there’s never a boring day. There’s always something new. There’s something about year after year of being with little ones.” Semchuck says, “There are just these exciting moments of just watching them grow and develop and and seeing them hit those milestones.”
The students are the most important part of HHCC. Because they have such a wide range of students from various backgrounds and abilities, teachers base activities on individual interests and abilities. Celebrating diversity and encouraging friendliness is a large part of the students’ days.
Andrea Lynch, a teacher who has been at HHCC for 9 years says, “We make sure every kid, whether they’re different ethnicity or they have a disability, they can learn and grow here.”
The staff value their diverse environment and ensure quality care. By welcoming and embracing diversity in a class, they practice healthy inclusivity and equal opportunities for all. Some of these opportunities include early math, reading, social studies, and sciences, which help students build a better understanding of the world around them. Not only are the children important, but so are the staff. They are the foundation, and strive to create a nurturing and respectful environment that aims for future growth and success in all their students. By participating in early academic activities, children are provided with bright and educational futures.
In her third year at HHCC, Bradi Dwyer says, “I am drawn to the kids and teaching them. It’s really nice to know that you’re teaching them to further their education and to help their futures. If we weren’t here, then who would help them?- other than their parents, of course.”
Staff also face daily challenges in the childcare center. They see conflicts and tantrums, as well as dealing with parents, injuries and illnesses. Being short staffed, sharing attention or giving individual help, and even parking also provide difficulties, especially with the busy days a childcare worker can already expect. But, HHCC has a good connection with North and the Career Center, often quickly resolving issues. Andrea Lynch describes, “We have so much we have to do within a day, trying to make sure we do everything, and also love the kids and make connections with them.”
Equally important, the Hoosier Hills Childcare Center has strong philosophies about active exploration. They believe that young children learn best in an environment that is rich in opportunities and activities that promote conversation and socialization. Kelli Semchuck said, “We are a play-based early learning center. We believe that the children learn best through active exploration, they build their social skills with one another during play. Now it’s not free for all, it still means that we do have a curriculum and lesson plans. The children are just actively learning through the activities that they’re engaged in.”
Activities are planned to encourage curiosity, problem solving, exploration, and inclusivity, while also providing a respectful and affectionate atmosphere for children. They work to get to know each child and personalize experiences based on their interests and abilities. Many activities provided also promote educational and creative subjects that help children understand more about themselves and build foundational ideas for the future.
The HHCC also has a foundational curriculum for all their children. They include areas such as social and emotional learning, which helps children develop a strong sense of self and ability to understand their emotions.They also support early math experiences that help children gain understanding of counting and quantity. Language, conversation, and new vocabulary are encouraged, as well as science projects and hands-on activities that explore their surroundings.
Social studies helps children begin to learn about themselves and roles in communities, as well as understanding time, money, and working together as a team. Creative arts, physical health, and different approaches to play are taught to help children develop motor skills and creativity, as well as becoming more self-directed. This curriculum and core foundation helps prepare children for elementary school and being a part of a community.
While it may be overlooked by many, the Hoosier Hills Childcare Center is very important to its children and staff. The play-based philosophies of the center such as inclusivity and creativity create a friendly atmosphere. Even with daily challenges, passionate staff encourage fundamental skills that help children prepare for the future that lies ahead.
