Eagles' Nest
"I felt at ease with the idea of my kids being in a daycare for the very first time. I love this program. Besides the decision to return to school, the decision to take my kids to Eagles' Nest was the best decision I've made." - Nadine L., parent
Eagles’ Nest is a preschool program for children of students attending Tallahassee Community College as well as TCC employees conveniently located near the main campus at 320 Appleyard Drive in Tallahassee. Children ages 12 months through 5 years of age are served at this early learning program.
The mission of Eagles’ Nest is to provide students and employees of Tallahassee Community College access to high quality, affordable and convenient early education and care. We strive to operate Eagles’ Nest in a manner that will meet the social, emotional, physical and school readiness needs of the children in our care. We are also committed to empowering parents to advocate for their children in all settings and situations.
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Program Philosophy
Curriculum
Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK)
Program Staff
Eligibility Requirements
Meals
Tuition Information
Hours of Operation
Holiday Schedule
Application
Parent Handbook
Hours of Operation and Holiday Schedule
Contact Information
Program Philosophy
The philosophy of Eagles’ Nest is that we, as an early learning program, accept children and their families into a growing and learning environment that is comfortable and safe for all.
We understand that children are influenced by their experiences and we strive to make those experiences rich, positive and long-lasting.
Children are engaged in activities that are guided by enthusiastic and experienced teachers knowing the importance of when to involve children and when to let them make independent choices and explorations.
Our classes remain small and family-like so the needs of the children, families and staff of Eagles’ Nest can be met.
We base our care and education on the principles of learning as set by the theories of child growth and development. As part of our philosophy, we hold to the following ideas:
- Children need to be challenged, nurtured, guided and respected on a daily basis. It is the stuff of life that makes us who we are and starts us on our path to becoming capable, resilient adults that can cope with life’s challenges.
- Quality early learning is the result of caring, educated staff who are never satisfied to let a child leave at the end of the day not knowing that someone has talked with them, shared with them and spent time with them, showing they are valued and respected.
- Learning does not always happen while children are sitting! We know that movement and learning go hand in hand. The process used to teach children is active, explorative and safe.
- The environment is as important as what happens within it. Classrooms are well lit – not too bright, cozy- not cluttered, familiar – not institutional. Materials are of high-quality, safe and accessible for children to use. Children need to have plenty of space to learn, plenty of time to learn and the freedom to learn by making their own choices and learning their own consequences.
- Parents and families know they are important to the program staff as an integral part of their child’s care and education. We strive to share with them a sense of belonging, comfort and trust. Our interactions with them and their children should strengthen their sense of empowerment and advocacy.
Curriculum
Teachers at Eagles' Nest useSchool Readiness Express. It is a curriculum based on children's literature and the development of language and pre-reading skills. The teachers plan a daily schedule and learning activities with four things in mind:
- developmental stages, need and abilities of all young children
- needs of the age group they serve and their abilities
- needs of the specific, individual children in their care, and
- the personal experiences and history each individual child brings to the classroom learning experience.
We also utilize Beyond Centers and Circle Time. This curriculum model represents an approach to early childhood education that includes rich, well-planned and organized play opportunities with teacher scaffolding [support].
With both curriculums, your child will engage in playful interactions with peers and trained teachers. He/she will participate on a daily basis in large group activities, such as story telling and music, as well as small group activities that explore the language arts, creative arts and drama, science, math, and cooking. We will provide activities to foster emotional, social, intellectual and physical growth. We stress good self esteem, clear and positive communication, problem solving, decision making, creativity, independence and the ability to work with others.
Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK)
Eagles’ Nest offers the Florida Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Program (VPK) to all four-year olds whose parents are students at TCC. (Children must be four years old by Sept 1.) The hours are daily from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. There is a strong emphasis on school readiness skills as well as socialization and fun!
There is no charge for this four-hour program. Additional care is available before and after the VPK hours for a small charge.
Program Staff
Just so you know...
All program employees are required to undergo background screening with both local and state law enforcement agencies.
Employees are also required to maintain up-to-date vaccinations and routine health care visits.
Employees are required by state law to have forty hours of mandated child care training and to maintain a minimum of ten hours per year of training in the early education and care field.
All employees are certified in pediatric CPR and First Aid.
Eligibility Requirements
Students enrolling a child at Eagles’ Nest must be enrolled in TCC and provide a currently validated student I.D. card with a copy of your current class schedule. TCC employees must provide a copy of their TCC identification card as well as a schedule of their work hours. All schedules will be verified through TCC’s Admissions and Enrollment Office. If your enrollment cannot be verified, your early learning services will be cancelled immediately.
Meals
A nutritious breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack are provided. Meals and snacks are planned in accordance with USDA Recommendations and Guidelines. Meals are served family style.
Student Tuition Rates
Up to 9 hours per day
5 days per week…………… $ 105.00/week OR $ 450.00/month
3 days per week…………… $ 80.00/week OR $ 346.00/month
No more than 4 hours per day
5 days per week…………… $ 80.00/week OR $ 346.00/month
Exams/Emergencies/Approved Drop-In…………… $ 10.00/ hour
Single Day…………… $ 25.00/day
Please be aware that upon review, our costs may be modified. If this occurs, parents will receive a minimum of thirty days notice before implementation.
TCC Employee Tuition Rates
Up to 9 hours per day
5 days per week…………… $ 135.00/week OR $ 575.00/month
3 days per week…………… $109.00/week OR $465.00/month
No more than 4 hours per day
5 days per week…………… $ 109.00/week OR $ 475.00/month
Exams/Emergencies/Approved Drop-In…………… $ 10.00/hour
Single Day…………… $ 25.00/day
Extended care and Single Day care MUST be pre-approved by the center manager. Other care options may be available on an as-needed basis providing there is enough space in the classrooms. You will need to see the center manager for arrangements.
Please be aware that upon review, our costs may be modified. If this occurs, parents will receive a minimum of thirty days’ notice before implementation.
Payment of Tuition and Fees:
Tuition may be paid on a weekly or monthly basis. Tuition may also be paid by the semester. Due to our already low fees, we are unable to offer any sibling discounts. Initial enrollment taking place after the first of the month, tuition will be calculated at the daily rate.
Weekly:
The first week’s tuition is due on the child’s first day of attendance. After that, tuition is due each Thursday prior to services provided the following week. Weekly tuition is past due on the Monday morning of the child care week.
Monthly:
Tuition is due on the 1st of the month and past due on the 5th.
Tuition payment is required in full whether your child is in attendance or not, regardless of the number of absentee days accumulated by the child. For example, absences due to illness, family vacations, etc.
The program will observe the same holiday schedule as TCC (see below for schedule). For closures no more than 2 days, you will be required to pay your regular tuition. You will NOT pay for Winter and Spring breaks.
Hours of Operation
| The program is open: | Monday -Thursday, 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. |
| Friday - 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
When TCC cancels classes due to weather or emergency situations, Eagles’ Nest will also be closed.
Eagles’ Nest Holiday Schedule
| 2007-2008 School Year | |
| Labor Day | September 3 |
| Veterans' Day | November 12 |
| Thanksgiving | November 22-23 |
| Winter Break | December 19 - January 1 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | January 21 |
| Spring Break | March 10-14 |
| Memorial Day | May 26 |
| Independence Day | July 4 |
| Teacher Planning Days | To Be Announced |
Application
Please complete the Eagles’ Nest application and submit. You may download the application and submit in person or by mail to Eagles’ Nest.
Please note: for the application to be finalized you will have to sign the appropriate places on the application and submit the original application.
Click to download the Eagles' Nest Enrollment Application.
Parent Handbook
Review a copy of the Eagles' Nest Parent Handbook.
Contacting Eagles' Nest
Grace Keith, Center Manager
320 Appleyard Drive
Tallahassee, FL 32304
email address: Grace Keith
Telephone: 850.414.2512
Fax: 850.922.3004
