Children's Campus

You are encouraged to become actively involved in the many activities at SAUCC. Each year, several events are scheduled to help strengthen the link between home and program. You are welcome to attend these activities.

Visiting the Classroom

You are welcome to visit the program anytime during our operating hours. We ask that you keep your child's best interest in mind. If a child has a difficult time saying good-bye, it may be best to have only one separation in a day. If you prefer not to interrupt the children, please feel free to use the observation windows, complete with sound systems.

Contributing Your Time

We are always looking for interested parents to enhance our programs. If you would like to share your profession, hobby, or talent with us, we would appreciate your contribution of time and expertise. We encourage you to fill out the Family Resource card located in your child's intake folder. We can always use your help!If at any time you have a concern please contact us. We rely on you for feedback and advice.

Our curriculum supports our philosophy and belief that children learn best when they are actively engaged in play. Modeled after the project approach of Katz and Chard, our curriculum engages children in in-depth explorations into different topics or subjects determined by what the children are excited and curious about.

We know as adults we are more motivated to investigate and learn about subjects that are of interest to us. This is why teaching to the child's interests makes a great deal of sense. By engaging children's minds, they are more apt to obtain a deeper understanding of the every day world around them.

In order to capitalize on the children's interests, our teachers begin by observing play, peer and adult interactions, conversations with families, and creative work. In addition, we will frequently ask children, "What do you wonder about?"

Through these engaging activities and in-depth explorations, the young child develops personal/social, language, and physical skills, as well as mathematical skills, scientific skills and creative thinking.

To grow socially, a child needs to interact, play and talk with other children and adults. With adult encouragement and guidance, a child will gain independence and self-discipline and recognition of the value of others.

To develop language skills, a child needs practice listening and speaking, as well as exposure to a wide variety of reading and writing materials.

To develop physically, a child needs opportunities to master small and large motor skills, eat nutritional well-balanced meals and enjoy plenty of sunshine and fresh air.

To develop mathematical thinking skills, a child needs to sort, create patterns, measure, and gain an understanding of numbers.

To grow scientifically, a child needs to observe, investigate, predict, and question the environment around her.

To advance in the arts, a child needs experiences with a variety of art supplies or media; opportunities to sing, listen, and play music; and time to use dance as creative expression.
While the in-depth exploration allows children the opportunity to explore what is of interest to them, learning centers provide plenty of opportunity to:

Create
Make decisions
Work with others
Think and reason
Problem solve
Develop coordination
Increase attention span
Investigate
Explore and foster a love for discovery and learning

Each day the children have ample opportunity to work and play in learning centers. Extended play allows children to truly become engaged in their work and investigations.

St. Ambrose Children's Campus is open year round, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Scheduled closings include all federal holidays (plus the week between Christmas and New Years), select teacher inservice days that are paired with parent/teacher conferences and home visits, and a shortened break in conjunction with the Davenport School System. 

Daily schedules are posted in each classroom. Each day includes teacher directed programming, free choice, and outdoor time. A nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snack are served family style. (Children are provided with nutritious meals as directed by the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program. In the infant room, parents provide their own breastmilk or formula. Baby food is provided.)

Courtney Luther, Director of Children's Campus
Tyler McIntire, Administrative Assistant

Honeybee Classroom
Allie Neuses, Lead Teacher
Shannon Gottschalk, Assistant Teacher
Alida Gottschalk, Assistant Teacher

Ladybug Classroom
Ra'Mya Taylor, Lead Teacher
Lanyjah Pemberton, Assistant Teacher

Bluebird Classroom
Allison Scovel, Lead Teacher
Lamariana Phillips, Assistant Teacher

Leapfrog Classroom
Elizabeth Majeske, Lead Teacher
Ashley Werthmann, Assistant Teacher

Dragonfly Classroom
Cynthia Bechtel, Lead Teacher
Molly Van Horn, Assistant Teacher