Children's Development Center
Hours of Operation
School Year*: Monday-Thursday, 9am-3pm
June-July: Tuesday-Thursday, 9am-3pm
For children ages 18 month and older, early bird drop-off at 8am is available during the regular school year.
* Generally follows HISD's calendar
Program
The St. Mark's Children's Development Center (CDC) provides a weekday development program for children ages 12 months to 5 years (Pre-K). Children may participate two, three or four days per week.
The program is play-based, and teachers use the Creative Curriculum. The focus is on the devlopment of the whole child, emotional and social well-being as well as cognitive enhancement.
Extracurricular programs include: Chapel, Arts Alive (creative movement & play), and Tumble Tykes (additional fee). Spanish is being added to the weekly program.
Registration
Applications are taken throughout the year. Formal registration for the Summer and Fall sessions begins in the early Spring (March/April). Early registration is given to currently enrolled families and church members prior to application acceptance from the community at-large.
Formal registration for the 2009-2010 school year for Church members will be from March 9th to March 19th. During the regular school year, we are open from 9am -3pm Monday through Thursday. For children over the age of 18 months, we do offer early bird care starting at 8am. We offer 2, 3, and 4 day programs for children from the age of 12 months through Pre-K. If you are interested in learning more about the CDC, please call 713-861-4443.
Contact:
St. Mark's Children's Development Center
600 Pecore, Houston, Texas 77009
Telephone: (713) 861-4443
(Tours available by appointment)
Purpose & History
The St. Mark's CDC program reflects the church's concern for families. St. Mark's UMC believes in the nuturing of the children of its congregation and the community. The church's goal in nuturing children is to provide a supportive fellowship for physical, mental, emotional and spiritual groth in their lives.
The CDC is an integral part of the church's ministry. Although no doctrine is taught, the church shares its faith with children through experiences in Christian living, showing love, foregiveness, discipline and acceptance.
The CDC was created 25-30 years ago by a group of church members for outreach and community service. Initially, it began as a Mother's Day Out program and has since grown. The CDC has been a state licensed preschool for over 10 years and serves approximately 50 families and 70 children during the year.
What makes the CDC special...
The CDC is known for its warmth, friendliness and small community feel. An open door policy exists with the director and teachers to help parents understand how best to guide and work with their child; each child, family, and situation is treated individually with no pre-set answers. Communication between and among parents, teachers, and the director is a strong point. Well-defined drop-off and pick-up times help provide time for interaction. There is strong parent involvement from room parents to Board members, to fundraising volunteers. Interaction between children of all ages and all teachers completes the feel of a small community. Without a doubt, children are loved, cared for and treated as individuals at the Children's Development Center.
