Classroom staff is experienced and well trained, with staff members attending conferences and workshops on national, state, and local levels. Classes maintain a child to teacher ratio, which is in accordance with New York State regulations.

The Child Care Center, Inc. is located at 185 Outer Main Street in Potsdam, across from the back entrance to SUNY Potsdam's Campus (Barrington Drive). Along with classrooms, gymnasium areas, and outdoor playgrounds for each classroom, our new building is equipped with a commercial grade, on-site kitchen. Our cook serves a variety of nutritious meals, which meet the strict standards of the Child and Adult Care Food Program.  Breakfast, lunch, and snacks are served family style in each classroom's designated eating area.  Mothers of infants are especially welcom to nurse of feed their babies here.  After lunch a supervised nap (in a crib or on a mat) provides a chance to rest before the afternoon's activities.

Outdoor play is included at least once each day when the weather permits. Walks through our "Pollinator Pals" Garden or to places of interest nearby and classroom guests lend variety to the program.  The Crane School of Music provides preschool and school age music classes several times of day.  Early Education Interns, Children's Literature Interns and other volunteers also interact with the children in our classrooms during the academic year.

S.P.C.C.C. is dedicated to expanding and enhancing human potential. It seeks to encourage the development of each child, support families in raising their children and provide a rewarding working environment for its employees.

Applications for child care are available upon request or you may apply on line by completing the waiting list registration form (www.potsdam.edu/community/spccc). After applications are received, they are placed on a waiting list. Enrollment is on a space-available basis with priority given to SUNY students, faculty, and staff of the College.

New York State employees are eligible to enroll in the Dependent Care Advantage Account, which is a flexible spending account for dependent care, allowing them to save money by setting aside pre-tax dollars for child care.
 

Ongoing Training for Staff

All individuals working in the childcare profession must have at least 30 hours of training every two years. New York State designates areas of training in specific areas. Each childcare professional must have at least one training in each of the designated core body of knowledge areas listed below:

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(1) principles of childhood development, including the appropriate supervision of children, meeting the needs of children enrolled in the program with physical or emotional challenges and behavior management and discipline;

(2) nutrition and health needs of children;

(3) child day care program development;

(4) safety and security procedures, including communication between parents and staff;

(5) business record maintenance and management;

(6) child abuse and maltreatment identification and prevention;

(7) statutes and regulations pertaining to child day care;

(8) statutes and regulations pertaining to child abuse and maltreatment;

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(9) education and information on the identification, diagnosis, and prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome; and

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(10) adverse childhood experiences, focused on understanding trauma and on nurturing resiliency.

 

Childcare CPR/AED/First Aid instruction is provided every two years.