Greater Collingswood Childrens Center Inc

My (our) experience with GCCC has overall been a very positive one! Our two toddler aged twin children that currently attend the center have seemed truly engaged, and have been showing great growth both academically and socially since they started there at the beginning of August 2016. They actually look forward to going to school every day!

The staff overall is tremendous! Also, the students are taught in real classrooms, not just play areas that one often sees at other venues. Plus the teachers are very professional and really care about the children. The center started back in 1969, and most of the teachers have been with the group for more than five years, and some upwards of 20 years!

Also the food program is excellent--real eggs once or twice a week for breakfast, hot meals that include a protein, vegetable, and often fruit for dessert are served regularly on their menus which they post weekly for us parents. Oh, and except for a required monthly healthy group snack, the meals are included with their tuition.

For activity they have the children play in their full scale playground outside adjacent to the school . Except during inclement or extreme weather conditions they get outside to play with pupils not just in their age group. This is to help promote social development Thus, both in addition to their ongoing mental stimulation they strive to address their physical and social growth as well.

Oh, and they spend the bulk of their time LEARNING! Yes, they read, build things, do puzzles, trace, draw, and write, etc. etc. It's what's known as a "Creative Curriculum." And there is NO TV on the premises to "mind them" like so many other establishments that we've seen and heard about They run the Center like a real school--not like a Daycare Center even though they of course take of all of their basic needs as well. Yes, as parents we are most pleased with the GCCC!!
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The only downside is their limited hours ( 7:30 am-5:30 pm), and the short window for breakfast of only 15 minutes. In addition, they have 19 days that they are closed, including the week between Christmas and New Years. These restriction can make it somewhat challenging for dual working parents.

And their tuition is very competitive for what you get. For those unable to afford the weekly cost, there is funding available.

In summation; it is a wonderful learning environment, and if you are able to work with their hours and days closed, then definitely GCCC could be "the place for you!".