Career and Technology Education: Baby Talk Child Development Centers
(Temporary Care of
Children Under the Age of 3)
Child Development
Centers are at all three high Schools: CHS, GMHS & LHS.
Each center is licensed by the State of Maryland/Office of Child Care for a
maximum of 9 children. High School teen parents have first priority for
enrollment. High School faculty/staff may also apply for admission.
Each center is open from 7:30 to 3:05. Parents are responsible for furnishing
individual supplies and needs for their child. The cost of tuition for students
is first determined as following: by students lunch status (free, reduced or
full price) and then by several other factors, see below. It is possible for
serious students to get free day care.
WHY IS THERE A TEEN PARENT PROGRAM?
To help pregnant or parenting teens stay in school and graduate.
To provide quality child care where day care spaces for infants are expensive
and scarce.
To provide pre-natal and parenting education.
WHERE ARE THE CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS?
All three of the child development centers are located within the three high
schools (Chopticon High, Great Mills High, and Leonardtown). All three of the
child development centers are licensed through the Maryland Department of Human
Resources, Child Care Administration. They are fully staffed by trained teachers
and caregivers.
HOW ARE THE CENTERS HELPING STUDENTS STAY IN SCHOOL?
Students do not need to
miss school because of pregnancy or childcare needs. Students are given
incentives to do well in school.
Students are given a 50% discount off tuition for a 3.6 to 4.0 GPA, 40% off for
a 3.0 to 3.5 GPA, 20% off for a 2.5 to 2.9 GPA, and 10% off for a 2.0 or above
GPA.
Students are also given a tuition discount for good school attendance, 30% for
perfect attendance, 20% for one to three absences and 10% for four or five
absences.
WHAT GOES ON IN THE PRENATAL CLASSES?
The pre-natal classes are held once a week during the student's lunch period.
Students bring their lunch to our meeting. During that time we study the
following topics:
fetal development,
maternal changes (physical and emotional)
health care: pre-natal care, medical tests, nutrition, warning signs,
unhealthy habits
and exercise
childbirth preparation: signs and stage of labor
delivery, pain relief, and cesarean: postpartum adjustments
Note: Students are also
given a discount off their tuition for parenting/pre-natal class attendance.
WHAT GOES ON IN THE PARENTING CLASSES?
Our parenting classes
are held once a week during the student's lunch period. Students bring their
lunch to our meeting. Some of our topics include:
Responsibilities
Caring for a Newborn:
Feeding, bathing, health care, and safety
Baby's Health: Immunizations, sleep, illnesses, diet, and dental care
Baby's Safety: Car seats, first aid, baby proofing, and toys
Baby needs for communication and brain development.
Self-esteem for teens and babies
Discipline and behavior management
Managing stress, resources, and family relation-ships
Educational goals, benefits, and resources
Sexual health sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy prevention.
We have a formal
curriculum that we will follow, but student questions and concerns are always
answered first, even if the lesson is postponed for another day.
WHY NOT LEAVE THE
BABY AT HOME WITH A RELATIVE OR FRIEND?
Recent research has proven that babies learn a lot in the first three years. Our
staff is very knowledgeable about early brain development. We have a spacious,
safe environment that allows children to explore and be stimulated.
Our staff gives each
parent a full report at the end of the day concerning the status of the child.
Children get individualized attention due to our low ratio of teachers to
children.
Students may come in and visit their child during lunch as long as the baby is
not sleeping.
Students interested in the Child Care industry gain first hand knowledge and
skills through onsite class visits, industry internships and job shadowing
locally.
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