SMDCC, Inc. has a full-time Teaching Staff of 22 and a part-time Staff of 7, with a Head Teacher who fulfills a supervisory and mentoring role. The Administrative and Support Staff numbers 13, including the Executive Director and a Registered Nurse Consultant who is at the Center one morning and two afternoons per week. Our Staff is diverse and dedicated. Education, Social Work, and Registered Dietician consultants are also under contract to assess and provide technical assistance on an on-going basis.
As a minimum educational standard, all members of the Teaching Staff at SMDCC are required to have, or be actively pursuing, a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. The credential is awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition in Washington, D.C., which represents the early childhood profession. Several Staff members have, or are pursuing Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees in the Early Childhood Education field.
The CDA credential is awarded to an individual who has completed 120 hours of early childhood education within the last 5 years, and the CDA assessment. To be a candidate for a CDA certificate an individual must be 18 years old, have a High School Diploma or GED, have 480 hours experience working with children or their families within the past 5 years, and complete a resource guide (documents related to the specific setting in which the candidate works). In addition there is on-site evaluation of the work and interaction between the candidate, children, and parents.
Aside from the CDA and other professional development requirements, all Teaching and most Support/Administrative Staff are trained in First Aid and CPR, including infant CPR. Training is renewed in accordance with the State of Connecticut Dept. of Public Health Statutes and Regulations for licensing Child Day Care Centers.
Part of the responsibility of Staff members in conjunction with the Child Nutrition program is to provide education on diet, nutrition, and food safety. In-service training is given every year by a Certified Registered Dietician, who also consults on menu planning helping to ensure that the children’s nutritional needs are met, and overall food service quality. Two meals and an afternoon snack are prepared daily in our kitchen by the Center’s Certified Food Operator staff, as prescribed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Employees of Child Day Care Centers are mandated reporters of child abuse/neglect. All employees of SMDCC receive annual re-training from the Ct. Department of Children and Families to recognize signs of possible abuse/neglect. Also included in this program is training on supervision of children regarding child safety in general.
All staff members have completed pre-employment health screening and security background checks, also in accordance with Child Care Statutes and Regulations of the State of Connecticut.
“When teachers can see their own growth lead to improved student outcomes, commitment becomes evident.”
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ST. MARK'S DAY CARE CENTER INC.
368/70 Newfield Ave, Bridgeport, Ct 06607
Phone: 203.335.3828 Fax: 203.335.4344
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