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About Us
The South Whidbey Children's Center is an
early learning and child care facility licensed by the State
of Washington and accredited by the National Association for
the Education of Young Children. SWCC has been serving families
in the South Whidbey community for over 25 years. We are a
nonprofit organization with a volunteer Board of Directors.
Click
here to download and print a PDF brochure which describes
our mission, accreditation, philosophy of the Center, and
includes general information.
Our Staff
Our teachers receive ongoing training in our High/Scope
curriculum and are encouraged to pursue additional training
in child development and early childhood education. We strive
to staff each classroom with one teacher with an AA or BA
degree in education.
High/Scope Conflict Resolution Model
Teachers address children's disagreements and frustrations
that arise during the normal course of a day by supporting
them with a conflict resolution/problem solving model developed
by High/Scope and based on building self-esteem.
Acknowledgements
We gratefully acknowledge
UNITED WAY &
ARISE CHARITABLE TRUST
for their continued support of our program!
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The Children's Center uses the High/Scope curriculum, a research-validated,
participatory learning process which is based on the belief
that children's play is their work. Our philosophy is that
each child is a unique individual. Programs include hands-on,
developmentally appropriate learning opportunities which nurture
the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social growth of each
child.
Our Founding Director
Mully Mullally retired as the director of the Children's
Center in 2006. Her love for the Center and its mission to
give the highest quality of childcare possible continues on.
As part of her 25 year legacy, she turned over the helm to
two amazing co-directors who work tirelessly together to ensure
that the children of South Whidbey have a safe, nurturing
and educational environment.
Meet our Co-Directors
Kristina Saunsaucie
Kristina has a Master's degree in Child and Family Counseling.
She grew up on South Whidbey and returned after college to
raise her two sons. Coming to the Children's Center as a parent
in 1999, she was soon hired as a consultant. In 2003, she
became the Assistant Director and worked with Mully in the
Director's role. When Mully retired in 2006, Kristina moved
easily into the Co-Director's role, with her emphasis as the
Program Director.
Kristina has a deep love for the Children's Center and has
worked in many roles over the years supporting families, and
specifically as they move into parenthood. Before coming to
work at the Children's Center, Kristina was a doula and childbirth
educator, parent educator, and mental health consultant for
Skagit Valley College.
Polly Schmitt
Polly has a Bachelor's degree in Education and a Master's
degree in Child Development. After her two children started
school, Polly joined the staff of the Children's Center in
1995 and taught in our Honey Bear room for five years! In
August 2005, Polly was asked to join Kristina as one of our
new Co-Directors, with her emphasis as Curriculum Director.
In July 2006, Polly successfully completed the High/Scope
Trainer Certification and now works with our teachers to train
and implement the High/Scope curriculum.
Polly was an educator in the elementary public school system
for ten years prior to coming to the Children's Center. Whenever
she misses the hugs and giggles of children, she just leaves
the office and strolls through the Children's Center. She
says, "It's because of our children and their families
that I am sure at the end of the day I must have the best
job in the world."
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