Special Announcements
Story Night 2008 Photos | 2006 Governor’s Award for Excellence

Delaware Tech’s Child Development Earns 2006 Governor’s Award for Excellence

Delaware Tech’s Child Development Center in Wilmington has earned the 2006 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Early Care and Education for providing high-quality early education for children. Barbara Sheppard, chair of the Early Childhood Education Technology program said the first-place award was presented Sept. 28 at a dinner with Gov. Ruth Ann Minner at the Dover Sheraton. Bayhealth /Kent General Hospital Child Care & Early Learning Center in Dover also received a first-place award, according to the governor’s office.

Beth Ritchie, director of Delaware Tech’s center, said the award is “a wonderful accomplishment for the staff and a wonderful incentive to continue to do the things we do on a daily basis to serve children and their families.” Two parents of children at the center, Karen Wallace-Braun and Cara Stanard, nominated the center, Sheppard said. Both are employed by Delaware Tech. The center serves children whose parents are students, staff or faculty members of Delaware Tech as well as members of the community.

The center, located on the Wilmington campus, serves as many as 36 children, ages 3 months to 5 years old. It also is one of the sites where about 75 or more Delaware Tech Early Childhood Education Technology students observe best practices in a quality program setting. Sheppard said. Students are placed in other centers in New Castle County that are also accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The national association has 100,000 members who focus on the quality of educational and developmental services for young children.

Ritchie started as a lead teacher in 2000 and became director of the center in January 2005, she said. The center provides placement opportunities for students who are preparing to graduate with an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. About 35 to 40 students each year graduate from the program.

The center has five full-time staff members and 12 part-time, Ritchie said, and all play a vital role in the center’s success.

There were a total of 11 winners of the governor’s awards including those for individual teachers and family child-care facilities.

9/23/08 
Nemours 5-2-1 Almost None Family Night

The center is hosting an informational evening for families around the topic of nutrition.  Come out and join the CDC staff for great information surrounding healthy eating.  Door prizes will be given out as well as dinner for the whole family.  Care will also be provided.  The event starts at 5:15 p.m.

9/26/08  
Trike-a-Thon

This is an opportunity for the children and their families to get involved in their community.  The Trike-a-thon is a fundraising event for children who attend the St. Judes hospital for children with Cancer.  At 10:00 a.m on the playground the children will participate in a trike for donations around the track on the playground.  Families are welcome to attend.

10/8/08 
Pot Luck Dinner

Join all the CDC families on the playground for a dinner you will not forget.  The theme this year is Hawaiian Lulu so be sure to dress the part.  There is a prize for the best dressed!

The dinner starts at 5:00 p.m. and a sign-up sheet will be available.

Little Lamb’s Cookie Dough Sale – Starts on 10-10-08 and ends on 10-28-08.  Families can get involved with fundraising by selling delicious cookie dough and all of the benefits go directly to the school.