Youngerman Center Preschool Program
Call 716-673-3203 to reach the Youngerman Center
Mission:
The Youngerman Center Preschool program provides young children with learning experiences guided by principles of developmentally appropriate practice within a language-rich environment. The learning experiences foster social, emotional, physical, and academic success.
The Preschool welcomes children with and without communication and/or developmental impairments. The enriched environment also serves as clinical training for graduate students completing a Master Degree in Speech-Language Pathology.
Philosophy:
- The philosophy of the program adheres to the belief that social/emotional language learning forms the cornerstone for later social and academic success.
- The curriculum infuses social/emotional and language-enriched activities that cover instruction in all the developmental domains.
- The curriculum is centered on weekly themes that teach developmentally appropriate skills in language, social interaction, literacy, as well as gross and fine motor (pre-writing).
- Inherent in the program philosophy is the belief that skills are acquired on a continuum more so than at expected developmental milestones.
- Each child’s skills are evaluated on a continual base, and instruction is individualized to meet his/her particular needs.
- This provides the opportunity for children to move faster or slower along the continuum, depending on his/her unique learning style and ability.
Description:
- The in-person program is in operation Monday - Thursday from 8:30-11:00 am during the Fall, Spring, and Summer I semesters. Preschool is not in session during SUNY Fredonia breaks and National holidays.
- The program is taught by three graduate Speech-Language Pathology students in the CDS masters program and overseen by a licensed Speech-Language Pathology clinical supervisor who also acts as a classroom teacher and program coordinator.
- Preschool instruction is hands-on encompassing multisensory activities for all developmental and educational domains with a focus on social/emotional, language, and early literacy.
- Enrollment is four morning per week, Monday-Thursday: 8:30-11:00 am
- Classroom size is limited to 12 children
Curriculum/Behavior Management
Pyramid Model:
- Supporting Social Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Children (Pyramid Model) within early intervention and early education programs focus on promoting the social, emotional, and behavioral outcomes of young children birth to five, reducing the use of inappropriate discipline practices, promoting family engagement, using data for decision-making, integrating early childhood and infant mental health consultation and fostering inclusion.
National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations
Positive Discipline:
- Classroom management strategies that help build community, prepare for successful living, and increase academic achievement in the classroom.
About Positive Discipline | Dr. Jane Nelsen
Assessment, Evaluation, and Programming System (AEPS®):
- A comprehensive system that permits the linking of assessment, goal development, intervention, and evaluation processes to support young children from birth to six years and their families.
Enrollment Requirements:
- Children must be between the ages of three and five years for the requested academic school year.
- Children must be three years old by December 1st, of the requested academic school year to be eligible.
- Children who are eligible for kindergarten are not eligible for YCPP.
Enrollment Process:
- Complete a pre-registration form and submit it to:
- Missy Hooper, Preschool Coordinator/Clinical Supervisor, Missy.Hooper@fredonia.edu
- Preschool Screening of pre-registered children will be scheduled by the program coordinator starting in the spring prior to the start of the school year.
- A non-refundable $50 registration fee is collected at the time of the screening.
Contact Information:
- Missy Hooper, Preschool Coordinator/Clinical Supervisor, Missy.Hooper@fredonia.edu, 716-673-4676
- Julie Williams, Clinic Director, Julie.Williams@fredonia.edu, 716-673-3203
Parent Testimonial:
"The Youngerman Center has been a genuine blessing for our son. He has received personalized attention from teachers who really got to know him because of the small class size. They frequently adjust their instruction to his ability to help him reach developmental milestones. Throughout his two years at Youngerman, we've seen tremendous growth in him both socially and developmentally. The teachers support and challenge him in ways that are age-appropriate and fun. Their focus on language and literacy skills has been especially exciting as we watch him develop an interest in reading and recognizing words on his own. Most importantly, he loves his time at school. He races into the classroom every morning, excited to greet his teachers. The people at Youngerman help give students a positive start to their academic careers by making school such an enjoyable experience."