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Early Childhood Development Center: Growing & Welcoming Community that Serves Children and Families
It is never too early to instill the teachings of the Catholic faith in our children. The staff at the St. Francis Xavier Early Childhood Development Center, or ECDC, believes that wholeheartedly. That’s why a religion teacher even visits the 1-year-old classroom at the ECDC.
Here at St. Francis Xavier, we are so blessed to have a beautiful and functional area for the ECDC. The mission of the program is simple — “the ECDC is a joyful, nurturing Christ-centered community, rooted in the Catholic faith, providing for the total development of our students through active and engaged learning.”
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“We are happy to say that we continue to grow,” says Claudia Ogrin, who moved here from Texas to serve as ECDC Director.
The program, for 1-year-olds to prekindergarten, is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday. There are currently about 65 children in the program, including part and full-time. There are four classrooms and 28 staff members. For the 2021-2022 school year, there will be another 3-year-old room added. The schedules for children are flexible for attendance, depending on a parent’s schedule. There is also a summer program that serves children up to age 10. For the upcoming school year, most of the classrooms are full.
The mission of the program is simple — “the ECDC is a joyful, nurturing Christ-centered community, rooted in the Catholic faith, providing for the total development of our students through active and engaged learning.”
As Claudia notes, this last school year was “a very different year,” due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the school closures, the program also accepted school-age students. A staff member was on hand to help with homework and virtual meetings. Staff also changed the drop-off and pick-up procedures, with parents leaving their child at the door with a staff member, rather than walking them to their classroom. Temperature checks continue to be done at drop-off.
Ultimately, the Early Childhood Development Center program is a way to evangelize and spread Christ’s message to all who participate.
“We look forward to the day when the masks can come off, and we can welcome parents back to the classrooms,” Claudia says.
Teachers utilize Frog Street Press curriculum, which includes language, social, emotional, cognitive, physical, and motor development. There are other lessons mixed in, including religion and dance classes, to name a few. The program includes an automated check-in system, gated playground, and tornado shelter.
The Christ-centered atmosphere at the ECDC shines through all the staff. Several staff members have even become Catholic and members at St. Francis Xavier.
Here at St. Francis Xavier, we are so blessed to have a beautiful and functional area for the ECDC.
“We appreciate how parishioners are so supportive of this program,” Claudia says. “We get donations, and we even have parishioners who buy our ‘wish-list’ items from Amazon.”
While not all families who are part of the ECDC are Catholic, the program is rooted in the Catholic faith and tradition. Ultimately, this program is a way to evangelize and spread Christ’s message to all who participate. The ECDC is a family.
“We have wonderful teachers, wonderful classrooms, and a welcoming community,” Claudia says. “We strive to be the best in Stillwater.”
Students at the Early Childhood Development Center experience a variety of hands-on activities all while making friends.
