Our early childhood program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. NAEYC administers the largest and most widely recognized national, voluntary, professionally sponsored accreditation system for all types of early childhood schools and childcare centers. NAEYC is the nation’s largest organization of early childhood educators.
Parkland College Child Development Center is a demonstration laboratory school that provides a quality, affordable, individualized program. It is a state-licensed facility which is open to Parkland students, staff, faculty, and community residents. The Child Development Center provides a foundation for learning that includes the total development and education of each child, while recognizing the family as the child's primary teacher and decision maker. The center also offers learning opportunities for Parkland students and others pursuing a career working with children and families. Note: enrollment priority is given to Parkland students.
We believe that:
- Every child has a right to a safe, healthy, nurturing environment.
- Children learn through play; therefore, we plan our curriculum with a caring and creative environment.
- Every parent is a valued partner in his or her child’s education, and is welcome at all times.
- The role of the child’s teacher is essential to the development of the child; therefore, the teacher is a highly valued professional.
We strive to:
- Encourage each child’s creativity and self-expression
- Foster positive attitudes toward self and others
- Promote language skills and communication abilities
- Stimulate interest in mathematics, sciences, and the arts
- Promote wellness, physical growth, and motor development
- Encourage self-discipline and acceptance of reasonable limits
- Provide families with links to other resources
- Prepare children for kindergarten
- Strengthen home-to-school relationships
Meet the Staff
- Jennifer Somers; Director
Illinois Early Childhood Education Credential Level 4
Education: Associate of Applied Science Degree in Child Development and Early Childhood Ed.
Employed at PCDC since July 2004
Number of years in early childhood education: 21 years
- Karen Talbott; Head Teacher - Room A
Illinois Early Childhood Education Credential level 4
Illinois Infant Toddler Credential level 4
Education: Associate of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education & Associate of Applied Science Degree in Child Development
Employed at PCDC since May 2009
Number of years in early childhood education: 15 years
- Samantha Meinhold; Assistant Teacher -
Room B
Illinois Early Childhood Education Credential level 3
Education: Associate of Applied Science Degree in Child Development
Employed at PCDC since January 2017
Number of years in early childhood education: 8 years
- Chamonique Barber; Head Teacher - Room C
Illinois Early Childhood Education Credential Level 4; Illinois Infant Toddler
Credential Level 2
Education: Associate of Applied Science Degree in Child Development
Employed at PCDC since November 2017
Number of years in early childhood education: 8 years
- Catherine Woodworth; Head Teacher -
Room D
Illinois Infant-Toddler Credential Level 4; Illinois Early Childhood Education Credential Level 4
Education: Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Care and Education
Number of years in early childhood education: 12 years
- Leeann Smith; Assistant Teacher -
Room D
Illinois Infant-Toddler Credential level 4
Education: Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Education
Employed at PCDC since November 2021
Number of years in early childhood education: 9 years