For most working parents, peace of mind comes from knowing that your child is not only being well cared for but that they are under the supervision of highly-trained professionals. That sense of security is what the FirstHealth Child Development Department offers FirstHealth employees. Child care services are provided year-round to children ages 6 weeks through preschool at the Child Development Center located on the Moore Regional Hospital campus in Pinehurst.
In addition, the Wyatt School Age Program located in nearby Taylortown, serves children ages 5 to 12 years, with a before and after school program, holidays, teacher workdays and a day-long summer camp. The FirstHealth Child Development Center is licensed by the N.C. Division of Child Development and operates as a 5-star facility to meet the child care needs of FirstHealth Employees.
Our Philosophy
At the FirstHealth Child Development Center, we believe that all children have unique gifts and each – through the process of experiencing joy, understanding, kindness and enrichment – will reach his or her maximum potential.
Our Commitment
- Provide a stimulating, child-oriented environment. Learning centers in each classroom are arranged to offer challenging play, exploration, creativity and success.
- Provide positive methods of child guidance that promote feelings of self-worth
- Develop curiosity and independence in a safe environment
- Maintain an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust
We Believe
- A child’s home is the most important factor in a child’s development. We will always strive to support and complement the family in order to promote the healthy development of the child.
- The dignity and worth of each family is important.
- Loving, trusting and respecting each child makes that child capable of loving, trusting and respecting others.
- Each child should be supported in his/her development of a positive self-image.
- It is important to meet each child’s need for physical, emotional, social and cognitive growth.
- The needs of children change as they grow; that programs must respond in content and structure by using the best techniques in early childhood education.
- Children deserve a nurturing, safe and happy environment, which supports their natural curiosity and desire to learn.
- Children deserve to have teachers who are capable and caring.
Curriculum
The FirstHealth Child Development Center uses the Creative Curriculum model that establishes age-related goals across a developmental continuum. Through a carefully prepared environment, teachers plan activities and experiences that support theme-based inquiries to promote growth in each domain of development (i.e., cognitive, motor, social-emotional, etc.). Inherent to this approach is a strong emphasis on meaningful play mediated by intentional teacher interactions and positive peer-group relationships.
Nutrition
The FirstHealth Child Development Center provides breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner at no additional cost to all children. The center participates in the Federal Child and Adult Care Food (CACFP) Program which provides nutritional guidelines for young children. Menus are also planned in conjunction with the Moore Regional Hospital Food & Nutrition Department. This department prepares and delivers meals to the center where it is served family-style in the classrooms and the cafeteria. Weekly menus are posted in each classroom.
If a child has a food allergy or intolerance, the center must be advised in writing by the child’s doctor regarding the symptoms that may arise and the precautions and remedies to be taken. Please ask Center Administration for the appropriate form. A meeting may also be requested to discuss possible side effects, methods of communication, etc. to ensure the safety of the child.
Discipline
The staff of the FirstHealth Child Development Center provides guidance to help your child develop a positive self-concept. The center’s discipline and behavior guidance is constructive, positive and age-appropriate with the goal to have your child develop internal control of his/her behavior. Staff is prohibited from using any corporal, unproductive, frightening or shaming methods of punishment. Food or beverage is never withheld as a method of discipline.
Our methods of guidance (discipline) take many forms including:
- Redirection: We will give your child the option of a different activity if he/she is engaged in unacceptable behavior.
- Rule setting: We will use understandable rules for behavior in your child’s classroom.
- Positive words: We will tell your child what he/she can do to be successful.
- Modeling: We will model appropriate interactions for your child.
- Natural consequences: We will help your child to understand consequences of behavior.
- Providing choices: We will give your child choices that will encourage him/her to make decisions for himself/herself.
- Active listening: We will listen to your child to attempt to understand the reason for unacceptable behavior.
- Positive environment: We provide a positive physical and emotional environment that is designed to minimize difficult behaviors.
- Renewal/Time-out: We may need to ask your child to sit out of an activity if all other discipline methods fail. This time-out is brief (one minute/year) and is always within a teacher’s sight. The teacher will discuss the behavior with your child, and your child will be allowed to join the group. When the incident is over your child will be treated with the same affection and respect as shown to the other children in the group.
In the extreme case that our efforts do not prove to be effective in ensuring safe and appropriate behaviors for positive interactions at our center, we may, in your child’s and the center’s best interest, require that your child be removed from the program.
Hours of Operation
The FirstHealth Child Development Center is open Monday through Friday from 6:15 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. on a year-round basis. We are open on holidays if there is sufficient need for our services. It is important that you let your child’s teacher know at least two weeks in advance if you are working at FirstHealth on a holiday and will need care.
Location
The center is conveniently located across from Moore Regional Hospital at 100 Memorial Drive. Parking is designated near the building. Facility entrances are under 24-hour security monitoring and require badge-access privileges. In addition, each entrance is color and shape coded according to age group, both outdoors and indoors, and exits are marked for everyone’s safety and convenience.
The Wyatt School Age Program is located at 203 Taylor Avenue Taylortown, approximately 2.5 miles from the Moore Regional Hospital campus. This facility operates from 7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Van transportation is provided between the Center and Wyatt for families requesting care outside of these hours.
Tuition and Fees
A one-time, non-refundable registration fee is charged, through payroll deduction, at the time of enrollment for each child.
Tuition is payroll deducted on a pre-tax or after-tax basis for employees of FirstHealth of the Carolinas. The parent decides this tax basis at the time of enrollment and annually in December for the upcoming year. After-tax is recommended for families using the school-age program or who are working Casual Part-Time. Fees are reviewed annually. Should an increase occur, parents will be notified in writing 30 days in advance of the increase. If you have more than one child in our program, please ask administration about a possible discount.
