A Little About Us...

Founded in 1986, we are an owned/non-profit parent cooperative, incorporated and directed by an all-parent Board of Directors. The Center encourages active parent participation. The center Director is Carolyn Mackey, and she can be reached by email by clicking HERE. The board of Small Savers, and their contact information can be found HERE.

Small Savers, located in the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), is licensed to care for infants (from six weeks of age) through pre-school (3-5 years of age). Small Savers accepts children of OTS employees, as well as those from neighboring federal agencies and the private sector.

 

Specifically designed programs run by exceptionally qualified staff are carefully tailored to meet the needs of each age group. In addition, our pre-school is a mixed-age Montessori program offering the best in early childhood programs.

Several features of the center include:

  • Fifty-two week operating schedule in a secured building from 7:30 am through 6:15 pm.
  • Access to underground parking for arrivals and departures with children
  • Tuition includes a light breakfast, catered hot lunch, morning and afternoon snacks and diapers
  • Modified AMI Montessori Pre-school curriculum designed to meet each child's individual needs.
  • Playground facilities nearby; daily outside activities and/or field trips.
  • Highly trained and experienced staff (30% with Bachelor's or Child Development Degrees.)
  • Please take a look at our most recent Annual Report to learn more about the Center’s current enrollment, staffing, activities and goals.

In addition, you have chosen an early childhood program for your child that 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 shools and child care centers. NAEYC is the nation's largest organization of early childhood educators.

What is accreditation?

Early childhood programs accredited by NAEYC's National Academy of Early Childhood Programs have voluntary undergone a comprehensive process of internal self-study, invited external professional review to verify compliance with the Criteria for High-Quality Early Childhood Programs, and been found to be in substantial compliance with the Criteria. A copy of the Criteria can be obtained from NAEYC.

What is a high-quality early childhood program?

A high quality early childhood program provides a safe and nurturing environment while promoting the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development of young children.

In accreditation, you should see:

  • frequent, positive, warm interactions among teachers and children
  • Planned learning activities appropriate to children's age and development, such as block building, painting, reading stories, dress-up, and active outdoor play
  • Specially trained teachers and directors
  • Ongoing professional development
  • Enough adults to respond to individual children
  • Many varied age-appropriate materials
  • Respect for cultural diversity
  • A healthy and safe environment for adults and children
  • Inclusive environments
  • Nutritious meals and/or snacks
  • Regular, two-way communication with parents who are welcome visitors at all times
  • Effective administration
  • Ongoing systematic evaluation

Accreditation is valid for three years. During that period, programs should maintain compliance with accreditation standards, document program improvements, and provide notification about major changes.

For more information about NAEYC accreditation, visit their website at www.naeyc.org , or call 800-424-2460, ext 601.