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Our Staff

Employees are required to submit to a background and criminal records check. Once they have been hired our employees are required to obtain CPR, First Aid, Blood Bourne Pathogens, and Mandatory Reporter of Child Abuse training within their first 6 months of employment. Teachers are also required to obtain at least 10 hours of Child Development related training each year.
 
Our teachers plan lessons according to a monthly theme calendar that is determined by the Director. They base their lessons on the Iowa Early Learning Standards that have been set by the Iowa Department of Education. The early learning standards have 7 areas of development that incorporate several specific standards for infants, toddlers and preschool aged children.
 
Area 1-Physical Well-Being and Motor Development
Area 2-Approaches to Learning
Area 3-Social and Emotional Development
Area 4-Communication, Language, and Literacy
Area 5-Mathematics and Science
Area 6-Creative Arts
Area 7-Social Studies
 
The teachers are responsible for planning lessons to meet several benchmarks outlined in the standards in each of the 7 areas of development. They submit their lesson plans to the Director for review and suggestions and once approved they are ready for implementation.
 
Lead Teachers assess each child's progress several times while they are in their classroom and will collect samples of your child's work and place them in a portfolio. This portfolio will include items such as observation records, samples of creative art work, photos of your child participating in learning activities, and other useful tools for assessing your child.  These are shared with parents twice each year in April and October. When your child moves to the next classroom the portfolio will move with them so that the assessments can continue and your child’s progress can be seen over the time that they are enrolled in our program. Once your child “graduates” from our Preschool Program his/her portfolio will be sent home along with his Preschool Diploma. (Due to the volume of work that is produced in each classroom, you may receive a portfolio after the child completes the 3 year old room and then again upon graduation.)
 
You may request a conference with your child’s teacher or the Director at anytime to discuss any concerns or issues you may have with your child’s progress, behavior, or the things that are happening in the classroom.
 
Our staff are trained in the Iowa Early Learning Standards in order to best prepare children to succeed in school. For more information see Iowa Early Learning Standards.
Faith Contreras
Director
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Faith has been with ACCC for 3 years and has served as a Preschool Teacher, Infant Toddler teacher, Assistant Director and now serves as Ankeny Christian Child Care's Director. She enjoys being in an environment that encourages Christ-like attributes and celebrates children's learning. Faith's previous experience includes working with children and adults with varying needs and abilities as a direct support provider and adaptive fitness coach and writing curriculum for children's programs. Faith has found her passion in studying the development of children. She strives daily to create the best care environment for optimum outcomes and to support each child to reach their full potential. To become a better administrator and teacher, Faith is earning her degree in Early Childhood Education. When Faith is not at ACCC or studying you can find her hiking with her husband of 3 years, Juan, young daughter, Zina, and getting ready to welcome twin baby girls into their home this summer. Faith looks forward to meeting you and supporting your children as they grow. 

Jenn Cooley
Assistant Director  

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