Our Mission

Our Mission at Elmer Hammond is to nuture and inspire every child to reach their full potential in a safe, supportive and engaging environment. We are committed to fostering a love for learning through play-based, developmentally appropriate practices that promote cognitive, social, emotional and physical growth. Our dedicated educators partner with families to create a community where diversity is celebrated, curiosity is encouraged and every child is valued and respected for their unique abilities and contributions.

Our Child Development Model

Vision:
To foster confident, compassionate, and capable young learners through a nurturing, safe, and engaging environment that respects and reflects the diverse experiences of our children and families.

Mission:
To provide a high-quality early childhood education program that supports the whole child—socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually—while empowering families and strengthening our community.

Core Components of the Child Development Model

1. Whole Child Approach

We recognize that each child is unique and develops at their own pace. Our approach is rooted in the understanding that children thrive when all areas of development are nurtured together:

• Cognitive Development:
  Activities that build curiosity, problem-solving, early literacy, and numeracy skills through play-based and exploratory learning.

• Social-Emotional Development:
  Guided interactions, emotion recognition, and conflict resolution practices help children build empathy, self-awareness, and relationships with others.

• Physical Development:
  Fine and gross motor skill development through structured and unstructured physical play, movement-based learning, and healthy routines.

• Language and Communication:
  Rich language exposure, storytelling, music, and daily conversation promote expressive and receptive language skills.

Guiding Principles

1. Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP)

Curriculum and activities are designed with an understanding of child development stages, ensuring that expectations are realistic, engaging, and achievable.

2. Culturally Responsive Education

We honor the backgrounds of our children and families by incorporating diverse languages, traditions, and cultural practices into daily activities and curriculum.

3. Family Engagement

We value families as a child’s first teacher and essential partners in development. Regular communication, workshops, home visits, and volunteer opportunities foster strong home-school connections.

4. Inclusive and Equitable Learning Environment

We provide individualized support to meet the needs of children with different learning styles and abilities, ensuring an inclusive space where every child feels seen, safe, and celebrated.

Key Strategies for Implementation

• Learning Through Play:
  Play is central to our curriculum, enabling children to explore, imagine, and engage with the world around them in meaningful ways.

• Intentional Teaching:
  Teachers observe and assess children’s interests and needs, then design experiences that extend learning in intentional, purposeful ways.

• Safe, Stimulating Environments:
  Our classrooms are organized to encourage exploration, independence, and creativity with materials that are age-appropriate and culturally relevant.

• Professional Development:
  Educators receive ongoing training in trauma-informed care, anti-bias education, early intervention strategies, and positive behavior support.

• Community Partnerships:
  Collaborations with local health, mental wellness, and educational organizations ensure wraparound support services for families.

Assessment and Growth Monitoring

We utilize a blend of formative assessments, developmental screenings, and family input to:

• Track developmental milestones

• Identify strengths and areas of concern early

• Adapt instruction and support services accordingly

• Celebrate children’s growth and progress

Conclusion:

The Elmer Hammond Child Development Model is more than a framework—it’s a commitment to equity, excellence, and empowerment. By creating a nurturing, responsive, and enriching environment, we prepare our children not only for school but for life.

🌟Programs & Services

Elmer Hammond Child Development Center

Serving children ages newborns to 12 years

🚼 Preschool Program (Ages 0-2)

The Infant Room at Elmer Hammond Child Development Center provides a safe, nurturing, and responsive environment for infants ages six weeks to twelve months. Our teachers focus on building secure relationships that help babies feel comfortable, supported, and ready to grow and learn.

All care routines—including feeding, diapering, napping, and play—are individualized to meet each infant’s needs and family preferences. These routines follow the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Office of Childhood Child Care Licensing Rules and are used as meaningful opportunities for bonding, communication, and learning.

Our Infant Room follows a developmentally appropriate, play-based curriculum aligned with Missouri Early Learning Standards. Infants learn through hands-on experiences such as sensory exploration, tummy time, music, books, and movement activities that support physical development, early language, social-emotional growth, and curiosity.

Teachers conduct ongoing observations and developmental assessments in accordance with Missouri licensing guidelines. These assessments help guide lesson planning, support each child’s individual development, and allow us to share milestones and progress with families. Families receive daily communication and regular updates about their child’s routines and development.

Health and safety are a top priority. Our Infant Room follows all Missouri child care licensing requirements, including safe sleep practices, proper sanitation and diapering procedures, staff training requirements, and state-mandated teacher-to-infant ratios to ensure close supervision and high-quality care.

At Elmer Hammond Child Development Center, we value strong partnerships with families and are committed to providing a loving, compliant, and developmentally supportive infant care program that lays the foundation for lifelong learning

🚼 Preschool Program (Ages 2 – 4)

• Play-based, developmentally appropriate learning

• Early literacy, math, and motor skill development

• Social-emotional learning and peer interaction

• Focus on kindergarten readiness

🧑🏽‍🏫 Pre-Kindergarten Program (Age 4 – 5)

• Structured academic preparation

• Language and cognitive development activities

• Hands-on learning through art, science, and dramatic play

• Daily routines to build independence and confidence

📚 School-Age Program (Ages 5 – 12)

🏫 Before & After School Care

• Homework assistance and tutoring

• Creative arts, games, and structured recreation

• Safe, supervised environment during out-of-school hours

🎒 Summer Enrichment Camp

• Weekly themed activities and educational field trips

• STEAM exploration, gardening, music, and sports

• Continued academic support to prevent summer learning loss

📅 School Break & Holiday Care

• Full-day care on teacher workdays and school holidays

• Hands-on projects, team-building, and indoor/outdoor fun

• Snacks and meals included

💼 Additional Services & Supports

🧠 Developmental Screenings & Assessments

• Milestone tracking and individualized learning plans

• Early identification of learning needs and support services

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Support & Engagement

• Parent workshops and education nights

• Monthly newsletters and family events

• Access to local health, housing, and employment resources

🥗 Healthy Meals & Nutrition

• USDA-approved breakfast, lunch, and snacks

• Allergy-sensitive and culturally inclusive menus

🧘🏾 Social-Emotional & Behavioral Support

• Positive behavior guidance

• Mindfulness and self-regulation techniques

• Mental health and counseling referrals

🚌 Transportation Assistance (if available)

• Transportation to and from local schools

• Field trips and enrichment excursions

🎨 Enrichment Opportunities

• Music, dance, and creative arts

• Nature exploration and outdoor learning

• Science experiments and technology projects

• Multicultural storytelling and global holidays

• Community service and leadership development (ages 8–12)

For our Frequently Asked Questions, please click here