IRSC Child Development Center

DCF License #C19SL0024

IRSC operates a full-service center for early childhood education at its Main Campus in Fort Pierce. The Center is staffed by well-qualified and experienced teachers, as well as IRSC students in the School of Education, and offers a developmentally appropriate learning environment year around.

The Center is open to students, staff and community families looking for a quality experience for their children who are three months to four years of age. Florida's Voluntary Prekindergarten Education (VPK) program for eligible four-year-olds is offered during the morning.

Operation of the IRSC Child Development Center meets the requirements of the Child Care Guidance, Services and Management program as specified by the Vocational Division, Florida State Department of Education. The school meets all state and local regulations concerning the operation of a child care facility and serves as a model for child care centers.

The infant and toddler program serves our youngest students, ages three months to three years. The curriculum, toys, daily schedule, food, as well as all aspects of your child’s environment, is planned to best support the physical, emotional, behavioral and mental growth of your child.

The preschool program provides care and education for children who are age three or four by September 1 of the school year, and who are toilet trained and able to work well in a preschool group setting of 15-18 children. Children are introduced to a balanced program of interaction with friends in both teacher-directed and child-directed experiences. The daily schedule includes free choice of time spent in the learning center and group times for creative movement, music, storytelling and dramatization. Walking trips on Main Campus and on-site presentations are also part of the experience. The child-centered preschool program is based upon the belief that play is the best way for children to learn. Each classroom is organized with areas for creative art, dramatic play, blocks, math, science, literacy and cognitive and small-motor development, and the environment is designed to stimulate imagination and creativity, socialization, exploration and discovery.

Children participating in the Florida Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten program are required to attend the IRSC Child Development Center on a daily basis from 8:30 until 11:30 a.m. At the end of each month, VPK parents must complete a Parent Attendance Verification form. If a student is absent from the VPK program for five consecutive instructional days, the student is considered withdrawn from the program unless written documentation is provided by the parent or guardian describing the circumstances.

Enrollment

To apply for admission, a completed Request for Enrollment Application must be submitted to the IRSC Child Development Center Office. Once the completed application is received, the child or children will be placed on the waiting list.

The wait list is usually long—especially for the infant and toddler program—so it is important to apply as early as possible. The average wait time for enrollment depends upon present class enrollment, the age of the child or due date, and the date the application is received.

A $150 dollar non-refundable enrollment fee is charged upon acceptance to the program.

Tuition

Tuition covers ordinary operating expenses in the Center, including food and education materials provided for the child, and staff salaries. Tuition is expected for all days of operation. Tuition is not charged for the days that the College is officially closed.

Tuition may be paid weekly or monthly. Monthly tuition is due on the first day of the month. Weekly tuition is due on the first day of the school week. If payment has not been received by close of business the first day, the account will be forwarded to the business office on the following business day. No child will be accepted if tuition is not up to date. Payment should be made to the Cashier's Office in W-building or directly through the Brightwheel app.

Staff

The IRSC Child Development Center is under the direction of the Center Director and is staffed with trained early childhood instructors with degrees and/or certifications as required by the Florida Department of Education and the Department of Children and Families. The staff ratio follows Children and Families directives. Additionally, staff is required to participate in annual educational retraining.

IRSC student interns work with the Center as part of their internship. Other Early Childhood Education program students may be involved in observation and participation as required by course objectives. Work-study students will be utilized as available and according to their capabilities in the Center operation.

Child Development Center Hours

The Center is open 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday during Fall and Spring semesters. Classroom instruction occurs between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. There is no provision for pick-up after 5:30 p.m.

All holidays observed by IRSC are observed by the Center.