EMBRACING THE VISION: THE KIDS LEARNING PLACE

The Council on Rural Services is a private, non-profit organization that was established in 1972. But even 38 years ago, the vision was to be an organization that would provide services for life enriching change and innovative learning for people of all ages. In Darke County that happens through programs like Kids Learning Place™, Head Start, Early Head Start, Gateway Youth Programs, and HandsOn West Central Ohio.

The organization continues to embrace their vision by using the Kids Learning Place™ name in association with all the early childhood education and care programs. This includes the childcare centers, federal Head Start and Early Head Start, and state funded Public Preschool programs.

Shirley Hathaway, Executive Director said, “Our Kids Learning Place™ name reflects our comprehensive focus on providing the best education and care of young children. The name illustrates our innovative early learning process where there is always a holistic, caring, and nurturing environment and learning is fun.”

The Kids Learning Place™ philosophy is to provide positive early education programs in a learning environment, through collaborative efforts with the community and dedicated staff leadership. All the classrooms are designed to be responsive to the curious and inquiring nature of young children. The education opportunities and experiences are planned to promote physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development in all young children, while they learn at their own pace.

“With almost four decades of experience in developing and delivering services, this past year we reached more than 3,500 children and families in our nine county service area,” says Mark Schlater, Chief Operating Officer at Council on Rural Services. “At Kids Learning Place™ the centers’ focus is always on Every Day Learning … Every Day Exploring … Every Day Growing. In addition, last year we received the “Step Up To Quality” benchmark designation from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services for all our Darke County centers.”

As you visit our centers in Greenville, Bradford and Union City, you will find children and licensed teachers actively engaged and exploring life. You will find parents and staff communicating for the benefit of the child. You will find collaborative partners, staff, and administrators always looking for ways to improve the learning process. All this occurs in order to deliver the best education and support and to ensure children are ready for school and life.

For more information about the programs, check the Web site at www.councilonruralservices.org or call 937-778-5220. Council on Rural Services provides education, support, and volunteer services through Kids Learning Place™, Head Start, Early Head Start, Gateway Youth Programs, and HandsOn West Central Ohio their nine county service area.

Staff and children at the Union City center begin the day by gathering in group time and talk about their plans.