Why Parents Choose
Ossining Children’s Center

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Why Choose Ossining Children’s Center?

Parents, guardians and families have valued Ossining Children’s Center for all of our 130 year history of high-quality educational child care, year-round child- and family-centered programming and embedded community partnerships. At Ossining Children’s Center, we work hard to reflect the diversity and promise of our greater community. We know that every family deserves access to top quality child care, regardless of their financial status. Helping families navigate the public child care scholarship and subsidy programs, as well as providing financial aid to families who need it, we make sure that our classrooms reflect the great range of experiences that people in and around Ossining experience every day.

Beginning at 8 weeks old, every student in every program enjoys a variety of age appropriate daily activities, in addition to enrichment programming with community partners, ranging from music to gardening, coding to dance. Click here to learn more about our Educational Enrichment. As one of the oldest community organizations in Ossining, we have a deep history of serving, partnering with, and benefitting from the services of other local organizations and we are committed to caring for the next generation of our community. Click here to learn more about our classrooms and/or to come in for a tour and to answer any questions.

Mission

In a safe, supportive environment, we prepare children for success in school with a basis for lifelong learning. Ossining Children’s Center works to provide high quality, educational child care in a socio-economically diverse environment that reflects our greater community by ensuring that children from families without sufficient economic means can attend OCC.

Together, our children build a strong foundation for life, and our community is likewise strengthened.

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Philosophy and Key Tenets

A common foundation underlies our programs across age groups,

which include the following: 

  • We empower children to become enthusiastic and confident learners by immersing them in an environment of educational materials, enriching experiences and nurturing relationships with teachers and other students. Our curriculum teaches children how to learn, through:

    • Hands-on discovery activities

    • Games

    • Arts and crafts

    • Music and movement

    • Child-initiated play

    • Enrichment programs that engage our community’s educational services and natural resources

    • And, especially, positive interaction with teacher-caregivers and one another

  • We are officially the Ossining Children’s Center, but think of ourselves as the “Ossining Center for Children and Families.” Just as we care for and educate our students, we strive to care for and support parents in their roles as the first and most influential teachers their children will ever have. We believe:

    • There is no “one-size-fits-all” curriculum

    • We give the individualized attention necessary for children — from infancy to middle school — to find and foster their learning style

    • Each child is an individual, with a distinct temperament and way of interacting with the world

    • “Normal” comprises a broad spectrum of dispositions and rates of development

    • A flexible curriculum enables teacher-caregivers to support each child’s unique path

    We partner with parents to individualize a plan for each student, offering families insight and input during the formative preschool and early school years.

  • In working with a child’s family and community, we nurture youngsters’ sense of self and individuality. Our diversity of backgrounds enables children to celebrate similarities and differences while actively fostering their knowledge of and appreciation for other cultures. Throughout the broader county and state communities, we educate government leaders about the importance and necessity of high-quality educational and enrichment programs for children.

  • Since our founding, we’ve worked to educate the “whole child” as an emotional, social, physical and intellectual being, while providing loving, home-like care. Our developmentally appropriate programs:

    • Support academic growth

    • Promote physical development

    • Foster social and peer interaction

    • Enhance self-esteem and self-discipline

    • Encourage creativity and self-expression

    • Develop skills needed for the real world

Reviews From Parents

  • "This loving, nurturing environment provides a home away from home, not only for our children but for so many others in our community."

    Ashley

  • "Our family is grateful to have found a place in this community that nurtures our child and so many of Ossining’s children"

    Rachel

  • "OCC mirrors the rich diversity of our community, letting our kids learn and play with friends from all sorts of backgrounds, and the fact that it offers quality, accessible childcare has been so important for us."

    Amelia

  • "They offer piano lessons, nature, gym at park, a great education, they have a garden in the back where they grow their own herbs and vegetables"

    Stacy

  • "The staff and teachers go above and beyond in making sure he has a wonderful day, everyday. "

    Vanessa

  • “The staff is incredible, nurturing, and kind to my child and he loves it there. They really do go above and beyond for their children and families."“

    Meghan

  • "My child attended OCC for Pre K and we couldn’t be happier she did!"

    Kimbillie

  • "It's been refreshing as two working parents to know we leave our most beloved little human in such a safe, nurturing, educational and fun space"

    Rodolpho

  • The teachers and staff are amazing!

    Danielle

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