Westminster Child Development Center (WCDC) was chosen to be one of Westminster Presybeterian’s Core Missions because we are committed to improving the lives of ALL children and their families in our community through high-quality childcare and education. Much like the Westminster welcome, everyone is welcome at WCDC, as we stay committed to our goal of providing a superior experience to everyone including our most vulnerable families.
WCDC has been committed to providing this level of quality for over fifty years. Over the years, we’ve found ways to ensure that all children and families feel welcome and a part of the WCDC community. One of the ways we are able to do this is by ensuring that regardless of a family’s circumstances or needs, we strive to provide them with the best possible care and education.
Just this past year, WCDC was able to provide a safe and loving environment to a student who had otherwise struggled in childcare settings. It was through parent and teacher partnership that we were able to discuss the child’s needs and devise a plan to help her succeed.
This particular child was only four years old when she came to WCDC. At this point in her little life she had already experienced so many changes and challenges, including the current COVID-19 pandemic. Like many of us, the pandemic caused many sudden abrupt changes. Over the course of two years, she’d had significant disruptions to her daily routine.
The first major change was when the only childcare provider she had known informed the family she was unable to continue providing care due to outside circumstances. This forced the family to seek out alternatives. The child then started attending another program, but only for a short time until the pandemic put a pause to everything. The child was then home with her parents for months as they tried to juggle working from home and caring for a toddler (no easy task!). Like many other childcare providers, the pandemic took a significant toll on the program the family used and the center was unable to reopen after restrictions were lifted.
It was at this time that the family sought out yet another childcare option for their now three-year-old child. They were able to obtain a spot for her; however, this proved to be another disruptive and unstable situation for the child as the staffing shortages caused inconsistent care for the family.
These parents were at their breaking point when they were referred to WCDC. We welcomed the family for a tour and had a very lengthy conversation about their past childcare experiences and specific needs. During this conversation, we quickly realized that this child was dealing with the trauma of all the abrupt changes in her life. Equipped with this knowledge, WCDC was able to provide this family with routine, consistency, and dedicated teachers who are committed to helping this child grow, learn and build lasting relationships.
It is stories such as this one that set WCDC apart from other programs. It is because we have some of the brightest and best teachers who are committed to children’s success. We ask that you consider making a financial contribution to WCDC to help ensure that our program continues to meet the needs of our most vulnerable.
Amber Marz-Momany, Director for the Westminster Child Development Center