Aldersgate Center for Child Development GR

Aldersgate Center for Child Development GR is starting our summer program next week. I’m looking for donations to our preschool and toddler classes for gardening supplies. We are looking for the following:

-Planters/pots
-soil
-plants
-extra gardening tools

If you have any you’d be willing to donate over the weekend please reach out!!!

Our Outdoor Classroom broke ground this week and our littles are loving it! Frog room especially loves waving to the workers and watching all of the equipment ❤️🔨🚜

Hello ACCD families! This is a reminder that we are doing dress-up days for Spring Break! Reach out with any questions :)

Looking for a rewarding job working with children? We are hiring! Contact Megan or Katrina to discuss open positions. 616-363-1210 or [email protected]

ACCD is CLOSED today due to a possible gas leak. Our staff and children’s safety is the #1 priority and we will not be open until given an all clear from the fire department and gas company. Please refer to Brightwheel with any questions or concerns. Thank you and sorry for the inconvenience.

Staff Spotlight: Office Coordinator- Katrina McNutt

Credentials | Katrina graduated from GVSU with a BS in Psychology and minor in Sociology. She’s been with ACCD since August 2013 and has worked in various roles around the center.

Bio | Katrina likes working with young children because “every day feels like a new adventure!” In her time away from work she enjoys traveling, off-roading, disc golf and reading. One of her favorite parts about working for ACCD is watching the children learn new skills and being a part of their childhood.

Staff Spotlight: Tadpole Lead Teacher- Dawn Ladd

Credentials | Dawn has been with ACCD since December 2016, having started as an Assistant Teacher then, after earning her Child Development Associate certification, became a teacher and later a Lead Teacher.

Bio | Dawn loves seeing “when the light comes on” while caring for young children. When not at ACCD she likes spending time with family. When not at work Dawn loves to spend time with her family and friends. Dawn has worked with children for her entire career and cannot imagine any better career path!

Through play, children explore and discover the world around them! Dive into the research-backed benefits of playtime. More information here: https://buff.ly/2UiGxAM

Little kids, big emotions. Preschoolers are still learning how to manage their feelings. It's tempting to reassure, but what preschoolers need is empathy. The more support you show and strategies you give, the more resilient children become. Dismissing emotions by saying things like, “You’ll be fine,” or, “You don’t have to be scared” often makes things worse. Instead, let them know you see they are upset and you want to help. Patience, calm voices, deep breaths, and hugs can often help.

Staff Spotlight:

Meet our Program Director!

Megan has a B.S. degree from Grand Valley State University in Applied Health Sciences, with concentration in Speech-Language Pathology. She also holds Certification in Applied Behavioral Analysis. She worked for three years with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Megan has worked as a Foster Care Case Manager and Visitation Coach. Most recently she taught first grade at a charter school.

Megan enjoys working with young children to help them learn new skills and develop emotionally and socially. She likes helping children through tough times so that they can use their new skills to become their own person.

When not working Megan enjoys spending time with her family. She likes being outdoors, going on trips with her family, and reading. Megan’s family includes her husband, school age son, preschool daughter, and baby on the way!

Megan is very excited to be a part of the ACCD family and to be able to share her knowledge of child development with all of the families she encounters. If you would like to get to know more about her or just reach out with questions feel free to give her a call at 616-363-1210 or email at [email protected]

Hello ACCD families and friends! We are revamping our page to make it more accessible for families or others to get information regarding our center. We are going to be introducing staff members on the page over the next few weeks. This page will also be utilized to post what is happening at our center and all of the fun times we have with the kids we care for. If you have any questions please contact Megan at 616-363-1210.