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A SPICE 2004 Program
St. Mary's Child Center
Archdiocese of Indianapolis
The nationally accredited early childhood program at St. Mary' Child Center provides intensive early intervention for 192 children ages three, four, and five who are at risk for learning and emotional problems, or who have developmental delays. Risk factors include: poverty, abuse, neglect, ineffective parenting, inadequate health and safety protection, violence, families with disabilities and addictions, prenatal drug exposure, and developmental delays. Curriculum inspired by best practices for young children, such as the Project Approach and the Reggio Emilia Approach, facilitates optimal cognitive, emotional, social and physical development through a half-day preschool program.
Social work services and family support, as well as mentoring and parent education, are also available to the families. Play therapy is offered to selected children who face emotional problems which can be mitigated by one-on-one role play with a trained social worker. Additional features of the program include: low adult to child ratio, small class sizes, a highly qualified staff, various therapies (developmental, speech, occupational, and physical), transportation, nutritious meals, two newly renovated buildings placed near high-poverty areas in the community, partnerships with public schools and various organizations, and a sliding fee scale that excludes no child for inability to pay.
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