Annual Report 2023-2024

WSU Child Development Center

Annual Report 2023-2024

Introduction

About our Facility:
*We have children 6 weeks to 6 years old
*7 Classrooms
*2 Playgrounds
*7 Lead Teachers
*7 Lead Teacher Assistants
*3 Admin
*1 Full Time Lead Teacher Sub
*Employee 35-50 students from WSU
*Provides care for children of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and Wichita community
*We have 76 families, totaling 84 children

* Our program is structured around interest centers and play areas that include art, math, science, language arts, blocks, dramatic play, cooking, and nutrition. Our staff plan and facilitate these experiences to promote the total development of each child. Each classroom is designed to promote the physical, social, emotional, intellectual, and creative wellbeing of the children.

Mission Statement

~The Wichita State University Child Development Center is dedicated to serving the needs of young children by providing a high quality, culturally diverse early childhood program within a safe environment.  The Child Development Center encourages physical, social, emotional, creative, and cognitive development of each child through the use of developmentally appropriate practices.  Our mission is also to provide top notch educational applied learning opportunities to WSU students who are seeking employment in Early Childhood Education or a related field.  This also includes providing WSU students with hands on learning, life skills and educational trainings to further their educational knowledge in the field of Early Childhood Education.

Departmental Goals

1) Guarantee an applied learning or research experience for every student by each academic program.

Provide an environment for students to meet their academic goals in their academic curriculum.

Objectives

1. 1. Forge a relationship between the Child Development Center and other Departments on Campus to help WSU students with their academia.
   2. Continue to build a partnership with the Early Childhood Education Department to ensure experiential learning during the school year.

2) Capitalize systematically on relevant existing and emerging societal and economic trends that increase quality educational opportunities.

Ensure returning students the opportunity to invest in their child’s future in an exceptional Early Childhood educational program while building their own.

Objective

1. 1. Update our program technology to incorporate the latest societal trends in Early Childhood Education during the school year.

3) Accelerate the discovery, creation and transfer of new knowledge.

Engage with any research-based project that advances the knowledge of early childhood education or young children.

Objective

1. Continue to collaborate with the academic departments on campus on research projects that involve children birth-age 6.

4) Be a campus that reflects-in staff, faculty and students-the evolving diversity of society.

Provide diversity training for staff and students who currently are part of the Child Development Center.

Objective

1. 1. Partner with Human Resource office and the Office of Multicultural Affairs on diversity training once an academic year.
      

Testimonials:

*The impact of a high-quality childcare center cannot be overvalued. Our two kids have been at the CDC as infants through PreK. During this time, we have watched the staff care for and love our kids. They made transitions between rooms exciting and worry-free. Through regular goal updates, weekly communications, and classroom/school events, we always feel informed and supported. We feel confident that as our children exit the CDC, they will be adequately prepared for the K-12 learning experience. The CDC has a great family atmosphere, and they pour a lot of time into building community within the center.
— Nicki Vossman and Ashley Cervantes

*Working at the Child Development Center is fantastic for a variety of reasons. It's a fun job, it provides fantastic experience dealing with children and community leaders, and it's a convenient position to have for busy schedules, to mention. I am a nursing major, and I have yet to find a job that is more suitable for my school schedule. On top of that, the fact that this employment is so flexible with busy school schedules is a great plus. It's convenient to be able to walk between work and class. This is a profession where you can work and play with wonderful children. You must be professional, just like any other workplace, but you also have the opportunity to play, be goofy, and simply have fun! Most occupations do induce stress, however, this one has been more of a stress relief than a stressor for me. Working here is an experience that will stay with you for the rest of your life. I found one of my lifelong mentors, as well as lifelong friends and community ties. You gain so much knowledge. I am confident that not only will this work make me a better person, but it will also make me a better mother when I have my own children.
— Kaia Siebert

*Our daughter started going to the CDC in October of 2020 and has done nothing but flourish since being there. She will come home and tell us all the cool facts that she learned that day. Watching her grow up at the CDC has been nothing short of amazing and I am so sad that she has graduated Pre-K and will no longer be attending in August. 

The teachers and support staff have been amazing with answering questions we have. Jill has been amazing at answering anything that others can't answer, and Amy is always the first smiling face you see when you walk in the door. 
If you're thinking about putting your child at the CDC, I highly recommend it; not only for their wellbeing but also yours cause you know they will be taken care of, learn so so much, make unforgettable memories and friends to last them a lifetime. 
— Vanessa Keeler and Matthew Gayton

Meet Our Team:

*Jillian Hoefer, Director
Jillian has been at the center since 2000, starting as a teacher assistant and working her way to director.  She graduated from Wichita State University in December of 2013 with a master’s degree in education with an emphasis in Counseling and holds a Play Therapy certificate. She holds a Program Director's License from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and has been the current Director since May of 2011.  

*Michelle Jarboe, Assistant Director
In 1997, Michelle earned an associate degree in early childhood education from Butler County Community College. She earned a bachelor's degree in human ecology at Kansas State University in 2000. Michelle has been at the center since 2007, starting as a lead toddler teacher and then moving to lead preschool teacher.  She has been assistant director since 2016.  Michelle has her director’s license from the state of Kansas.   

*Amy Mease, Administrative Specialist
Amy began working at the Child Development Center in January 1998 as a teacher assistant. She then became the center's Administrative Specialist in 1999. Amy has earned her Certificate in Supervision from the Center for Management Development. The best part of Amy's job is getting to greet each family and child every morning.

*Tiffany Littlejohn, Lead Pre-School Teacher 
Tiffany is a graduate of Wichita State University with a dual bachelor’s degree in early childhood and Elementary Education with a certification in Special Education for ages birth to 3rd grade.  She began at the Child Development Center in April 2008 as a Teacher Assistant working with all ages.  Tiffany's classroom is full of love, music, and fun.

*Autumn Bergkamp, Lead Toddler Teacher, 2-year-olds
Autumn graduated with her associate degree in science from Cloud County Community College, then graduated from Wichita State University in May 2015 with her bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and Disorders. She began at the Wichita State University Child Development Center in August of 2014 as a Teacher Assistant working with infants and toddlers.  She loves the toddler group because you can see them making strides and learning new things day in and day out.

*Jessica Martin, Lead Pre-K Teacher
Jessica graduated from Wichita State with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.  She started working at the CDC in August 2020 where she instantly found a love for working with kids! She became the Lead TA of Room 5 in 2021 and fell in love with teaching Pre-K.  Jessica teaches the Kindergarten Readiness program for children ages 4-5 years who will be entering a kindergarten program the following year. Jessica loves coming to work each day because each day is always going to be something different and fun with the kids.

*Brandy Harris, Pre-School Teacher
Brandy graduated in 2018 with her Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education. She has worked at the WSU CDC since January 2020 where she started as a teacher assistant, then became the Lead Teacher Substitute and in July 2022 became the lead teacher in Room 6.  She currently has her director's license through the state of Kansas.  Her goal is to fill any classroom with love, acceptance, laughter, learning, and fun.

*Ariana Hernandez, Lead Toddler Teacher, 1 year olds 
Ariana graduated in 2023 from Butler Community College with her Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education.   She has worked here at the CDC since 2020, working in each of the classrooms and acting as the lead teacher assistant in Room 1 and 3.  Her goals as a teacher are to create strong relationships with her kiddos and families that she works with by sharing love, empathy, and patience. 

*Angie Lancaster, Lead Toddler Teacher, 1 & 2 year olds
Angie has been in Early Childhood Education since 2004 when she started at Butler Community College to earn her associate degree and graduated in 2005 with her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education.  She firmly believes that children learn best through play, and it is her responsibility as their teacher to keep them safe and engage them with quality activities that enhance their learning.

*Ashlyn Riggs, Lead Teacher Substitute
Ashlyn is currently working on her degree through the TAP program at Wichita State.  Ashlyn began working at the CDC in June of 2022.  Her favorite part about working at the center, is all the connections she has made with the kids, co-workers, and parents.  
*7 Lead Teacher Assistants

Staff Highlights & Accomplishments

~Early Childhood Impact Awards:  Jill Hoefer and Michelle Jarboe from administration; Angie Knighten, Jessica Martin, Brandy Harris, and Tiffany Littlejohn for the lead teachers; Ariana Hernandez, Taylin Coleman, Logan Haggard, Haley White, Elisa Fernandez for the teacher assistants.  The above individuals were nominated by their co-workers and parents at the center.
            *Jessica Martin, Brandy Harris, Logan Haggard, Haley White and Elisa Fernandez were spot light award resupinates.  

~Jessica Martin was voted Teacher of the Year and Haley White was voted Teacher Assistant of the year.   They were selected by parents and co-workers.

~ Jill Hoefer and Michelle Jarboe are part of Early Childhood Director’s Organization.   They have been a part of setting up quality trainings for directors in the Wichita area.  They are also, members of National Association for the Education of Young Children and Kansas Association for Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health.

~Jill Hoefer is currently working towards an endorsement with the Kansas Association for Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health.

~Michelle Jarboe and Tiffany Littlejohn are looking into the process of getting their endorsement with the Kansas Association for Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health.

~Michelle Jarboe is on the Child Nutrition & Wellness Advisory Council.

~Tiffany Littlejohn and Angie Lancaster presented at the Growing with Children Conference.

~Tiffany Littlejohn, Angie Lancaster and Autumn Bergkamp have give trainings to other centers in the city and surrounding areas and the staff and the center.   They continue to develop new trainings.

~Ellie Rinkenbaugh left the center to move to Georgia for her husband’s job.  She was the lead teacher substitute.

~Misty Weiss left the center for a Head Start Position in Hutchinson.  She was one of our lead preschool teachers.

~Tiffany Littlejohn took the position of lead preschool teacher.  She was the infant room lead teacher.

~Ariana Hernandez was promoted to lead toddler teacher for the 1-year-old classroom.  

~Merry Kirkpatrick left the center to stay home with her children.

~Jill Hoefer, Michelle Jarboe, Amy Mease, Angie Lancaster, Brandy Harris, Jessica Marin and Tiffany Littlejohn have their directors license from the state of Kansas.

~Our center was awarded silver in the Best of Wichita for childcare center.

~Our has achieved a 100% level of compliance with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for past 5 years. 

Community Partners

-Spirit Engineering, do STEM activities with the preschool age children
-Early childhood professionals from around the area can observe our classrooms
-The Treehouse an organization that helps low-income families
-Toys for Tots, collect new toys
-Food Drive for Shocker Support Locker, Kansas Food Bank and Food 4 Kids
-Union Rescue, collected personal hygiene products
-Child and Adult Care Food Programs

Collaborations with Faculty/Departments

-Susan Bray, Play Therapy
-Melissa Vagts, Speech and Hearing Clinic
-Samantha Gregus, Assistant professor, Psychology
-Cindy Malcom, Education Department
-WSU PD, reading to the children 
-WSU PD, active shooter training for staff
-Quality Air Research Program with WSU

Impact:

Looking at the Future:

Building a cutting-edge, state-of-the-art child development center that combines innovative education and care with a commitment to excellence, setting a new standard for early childhood education in the Wichita community.
By expanding our facility to accommodate more students and children, increasing our capacity to serve even more families we can develop new and innovative programs, such as STEAM-based activities and specialized classes for children with diverse needs. We can provide cutting-edge technology and resources for our educators, ensuring they have the tools they need to deliver exceptional care and education. We will be able to recruit and retain top talent by offering competitive salaries, benefits, and professional development opportunities. And we can establish partnerships with local schools and community organizations to create a network of support for early childhood education.
Another key feature that we are planning on incorporating in a new child development center would be an educational learning classroom available for professors to use. Incorporating a learning classroom into a new child development center would not only provide a dedicated space for educators to deliver high-quality instruction, but also create a seamless transition for children to engage in academic and extracurricular activities, fostering a sense of continuity and cohesion between education and care. By integrating learning into the child development center, we can provide a comprehensive early childhood education experience that addresses the whole child - cognitively, emotionally, and physically - and sets them up for long-term success.