Question 1

What are our hours?

Accepted Answer

Corning Children's Center is open Monday-Friday, 7am-6pm.

Question 2

What ages do you serve?

Accepted Answer

We provide high quality care and education for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers (ages 6 weeks to 5 years).

Question 3

What is your educational philosophy?

Accepted Answer

We are dedicated to providing high-quality care and education for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Our staff members recognize and appreciate the uniqueness of each child, and we cultivate a sense of community that is positive, gentle, warm, diverse, inclusive, creative, stimulating and genuine. 
 
We believe we serve our children as both caregivers and educators. Research supports our convictions that children are best able to grow and learn when they can freely explore a world in which they feel cared for and safe. 
 
A well-designed curriculum serves as the foundation for effective teaching and learning, guiding educators in providing rich, age-appropriate experiences that promote all aspects of a child's development. From fostering cognitive skills to building emotional resilience, the curriculum helps shape a child’s future learning journey and lays the groundwork for success in school and life.

Question 4

How many teachers and children are there in each class?

Accepted Answer

Minimum Supervision Ratios Based on Group Size for Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers

The Center typically maintains group size at the optimal level to enhance the learning experience within each age level. The Center opts to occasionally will increase group size to the maximum allowance to meet the needs of current enrollment.

Question 5

How much does childcare cost at your center?

Accepted Answer

You can view our sliding fee scale at the link below. The Center does accept childcare assistance for any family who qualifies.

Question 6

Does the Center accept Child Care Assistance for payment?

Accepted Answer

Yes

Question 7

How will my child adjust to the classroom?

Accepted Answer

Positive Separation    
Young children need support as they say goodbye to parents and family and start their day at childcare. The center will use these tips to help your child transition into the classrooms.

1. Staff will work to help your child feel safe, connected and comfortable.

To help foster a secure attachment with each child, staff will:

Be warm, responsive, and affectionate.

Engage in meaningful conversational interactions.

Be physically and emotionally available while a child is exploring their environment.

Comfort children when they are distressed.

Be an enthusiastic learning partner.

Let children know that you will provide safe behavior boundaries, keeping them, their peers, and their things safe.

Provide primary caregiving.

2. Review the daily schedule so your child knows what to expect.

3. Help families establish a predictable goodbye routine.

4. Allow your child to use tools when missing their family. (i.e. lovey, family photo, special blanket, etc.)

5. Use words provided by family in the child’s home language.

6. Have available some of your child’s favorite activities to do.

7. Work with families to have a predictable pick-up time and reunion ritual.

Question 8

What is the difference between part-time care and full-time care?

Accepted Answer

Part-time options include:  either Monday, Wednesday, Friday full day care -OR- Tuesday, Thursday full day care.

Full-time care is defined as Monday – Friday full days.

Question 9

How does the wait list work?

Accepted Answer

Families will be entered onto the waiting list by the following priority: 
Current enrolled families and staff members children 
Corning Inc. employees (up to 50% of enrollment) 
Prior clients 
All other families

When an opening becomes available or is anticipated, the Family Engagement Coordinator, will contact the next person on the waiting list who meets the appropriate age for the classroom.

Waiting list families are not given their “number/place” on the list as it may change due to other families getting on the list or leaving the list based on their priority.

Question 10

Does the Center provide food for my child?

Accepted Answer

For infants, the Center provides Wegmans milk-based formula and Gerber baby foods. Breast milk or other brands of formula would need to be provided by the family.

For children eating solid food, a breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack are provided through Corning Catering and meet Child and Adult Food Program health requirements.

Should your child have dietary restrictions or follows a special diet, you may provide appropriate food for your child.

**Please note, we are a tree nut free facility, these items are prohibited.

Question 11

Is the Center licensed through Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) and accredited?

Accepted Answer

The Center is licensed through OCFS
 For our east site the license number is 00042396DCC
 For our west site the license number is 000911439DCC

The Center has historically been accredited through Middles States Association.  We are currently beginning the process to obtain our accreditation moving forward with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Frequently Asked Questions