Whales
CCPCC is a small, inviting school that encourages parents and children to build and maintain close relationships with other families and the teachers within the school. Many opportunities present themselves for parent involvement. Of course, CCPCC has an open-door policy and encourages parents to visit at any time. Often, you will find a parent sitting along side the children at Circle Time. You may also find a parent leading a cooking project, or even a class on origami (Japanese paper-art). Parents are invited to participate as chaperones on field trips or to lend a hand in the classroom when special visitors stop by.

All children are placed in the classroom best suited to their emotional, cognitive, and physical development. Movement into the next classroom is based on development and not age.

Before enrollment, the center strongly encourages a conference between the child's prospective teacher, the parents, and the child. In this way, families can develop a strong relationship with the individuals they will be working with daily. Also, families can begin to understand the goals of their child's teacher and developmental levels he or she will help your child reach.

As a child becomes ready for the next classroom, a gradual transition will occur. Visits to the next classroom will begin. The length of these visits will increase until the child appears ready to move to the next classroom full-time. Most transitions take about two weeks, although the individual transition period may vary greatly from one child to another.

As a rule, the center will not place a child into a classroom where the majority of the children in that room are significantly younger or older than the new child. We make every attempt to place children in the appropriate classroom in the beginning. Incorrect classroom placement can cause a great deal of emotional distress to children, so it is critical that the Director, teachers, and parents agree on the classroom placement of a new child prior to enrollment.