Welcome to the Child Development Center (CDC)

We feel you and your child will come to know the CDC as a very special place.

The CDC is an early childhood program licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and Humans Services, which provides care for children of Neumann University students, faculty, administration, staff, and the community at large. A department of Neumann University’s School of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Education.

The CDC is staffed with caring and dedicated teachers who all have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in education and Continuing Professional Development in the field of Early Childhood Education. University students in the School of Education complete weekly experiences at the CDC under the supervision of the CDC director. They engage in clinical field experiences, observations, lessons, presentations, research, and information sharing. The CDC also works cooperatively with students and faculty from other University schools and provides a site for students interested in working with young children.

At the CDC, we are committed to providing the best possible experience for your child. We believe that children have an innate ability and desire to learn and that the child's success in doing this is relevant to the experiences within his/her environment. Our goal is to provide a setting for your child that holds many enriching opportunities so he/she can begin to make positive choices.

Social and emotional development is an important part of our program. We believe children need to learn to share, interact, and communicate with their peers.

We look forward to a happy association with you and your child. To do this, we all need to work together cooperatively. If we may assist you in any way, please feel free to ask.

Sincerely yours,

John L. Sperduto, M.Ed, PQAS
Center Director/Assistant Professor
Email: sperdutj@neumann.edu
Phone: 610-558-5611

RECENT EVENTS


Our Philosophy

As part of Neumann University, the philosophy of the Child Development Center is informed by its Roman Catholic heritage in the tradition of St. Francis of Assisi. Therefore, a basic tenet of the Child Development Center is to model a deep respect for each individual child.

Our Objectives

  • To provide the children with a sense of self-worth and well-being.
  • To enable the children to recognize their feelings, ideas and attitudes and to help them express these in constructive and creative ways.
  • To accustom the children to a varied social environment.
  • To develop each child’s intellectual skills in relation to his/her age level and abilities.
  • To expose the children to a wide range of experiences; art, music, play and learning activities for the purpose of stimulating their interest in the world and to provide a basis for the development of concepts.

Our History

Neumann’s Child Development Center was the dream of our former President, Sister Madonna Marie Cunningham OSF, and the lovely facility became a reality in September of 1973 when it first opened its doors to children of the College students and those of the community.

Licensing

The Child-development Center is licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, 801 Market St.., Suite 5132, Phila PA 1-800-346-2929, and is registered with the Pennsylvania Department of Education. See regulations.

Program Session

The school term runs from September through June, we also have a separate summer program in July and August.

Registration

All families must complete a registration package and provide the registration fee to secure your child’s enrollment. A new registration form and fee is required each year.

Tuition

Tuition fees are evaluated annually at the direction of the University’s Board of Directors. Families will receive an invoice at the beginning of each month from the Business Office. Payment is due the middle of each month (check the exact date on each statement). A $50.00 late payment fee will be charged for late payment. If payment is not made in a timely fashion care will be suspended.

Entrance Requirements

The Center enrolls children from three (by September 1, of the current school year) through five years of age. To be eligible for enrollment in the September to June program, a child must be three years old and fully potty trained. Once the school year has begun, entrance to the program will depend upon availability of space.

School Hours

The Center is in operation from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (except for noted holidays and early dismissals). Because we are a preschool all children must arrive by 9 AM on their scheduled day. Parents attending Neumann University must be on the campus while their child is attending the Child Development Center. Exceptions are made only in the case of field experience or practicum courses at which time the Center must be notified as to where the parent can be reached. Community parents are, of course, exempt from this rule.