Welcome to One Step Ahead Child Care Center
Celebrating 20 years of serving families and children in our community!
About Us
As a small, family-owned child care center, we provide a warm and welcoming environment where families feel at home, and children feel at ease.
Convenient Location
Find us at 432 Salem Church Road, Newark, DE 19702, conveniently located at the intersection of Old Baltimore Pike and Salem Church Road. We're minutes away from Christiana Hospital, I-95 corridor, and Christiana Mall.
Security Features
Affordable Fees
We believe quality childcare should be accessible to all. Our fees are among the lowest in the area:
Nutritious Meals are provided at no extra cost:
8:00-8:30 am -Breakfast
11:45 am -Lunch
3:00 pm - Snack
Qualified Staff
Our teachers hold:
At One Step Ahead, we're committed to providing a safe, nurturing environment for your child to grow and thrive.Feel free to reach out to learn more or to schedule a tour at 302-292-1162.
Language skills are greatly expanded through group songs and finger plays, reading books, telling stories, and listening to tapes & CDs. Emerging math skills are promoted through using manipulative toys and cooking. Water/sand sensory tables, nature walks, magnets, and balances are some of the materials available to explore science areas. Drama and various art mediums such as finger painting, playdough cookie cutting, easel, and chalk drawing spark interest in the world.
Toddlers need to feel as independent and vital as they are. A positive reward system is key to molding self-help/care skills such as toilet learning, using hats and coats, hand washing, and cleaning up after meals.
Large motor development is fostered through a variety of indoor and outdoor activities. During inclement weather, toddlers can have fun in our indoor Toddler Gym area. Fine motor skills such as stringing, scissor use, and puzzle practice are facilitated daily.
Often, a Toddler’s view of their world can seem big and challenging; activities such as peer group games, shared centers, and art projects support social and emotional skills like sharing, taking turns, cooperative play, and using language to convey needs and wants.
Communication with families is vital as Toddlers grow and mature. Daily activity forms illustrate what fun and exciting activities the children experienced. Weekly lesson plans and monthly newsletters also assist in reaching our goal of open, constant communication. Family-teacher conferences are held twice a year to discuss the child’s development, which is monitored with the Teaching Strategies Gold assessment program.
Our preschool program for three-year-olds and our pre-k program for four-year-olds is designed to foster curiosity and investigation. Children are naturally energetic and curious at this age, constantly seeking to learn about themselves and the world around them. Our program provides a nurturing environment that supports their growth and development.
In these classrooms, children refine their language skills through engaging in conversations and develop sophisticated social skills by interacting with peers. They learn essential life skills such as sharing, waiting their turn, and understanding and appreciating individual differences. Children gain valuable insights into the physical and social world through play-based activities, including block building and Legos, outside play, and role-playing in dramatic play centers.
Our Teaching Strategies curriculum is built around the seven developmental domains outlined in the Delaware Early Learning Foundations. This framework ensures a well-rounded education that encompasses various aspects of child development. From art projects and cooking to math and science exploration, our activities encourage children to plan, problem-solve, and take responsibility for their actions.
To monitor progress, our teachers observe and assess children's development using the Teaching Strategies GOLD system. We share assessment information with families through semi-annual conferences, ensuring everyone is informed and involved in the child's growth. Our program's ultimate goal is to prepare children for a successful transition to Kindergarten, equipping them with the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical skills necessary for future success.
Our Preschool and Pre-k programs welcome children aged three to five. We look forward to working with families to provide a supportive and engaging preschool experience.
Our preschool environment is designed to feel like a warm and welcoming family, providing a comfortable and secure space for children to grow and thrive. We believe that working together can create a solid foundation for lifelong learning and development.
Before and After School Care Program serving students of McVey Elementary
Our program provides safe and engaging before and after-school care for McVeigh Elementary students in the Christiana School District.
We offer:
Program Highlights:
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