Orchard Ridge Campus

Children's Center

HISTORY

The Oakland Community College Children’s Center has been in operation on the Orchard Ridge Campus since 1972. The Center was established as a service so that parents with small children could attend college. The Center currently is available to OCC students and staff, and families in the surrounding community on a space available basis. The college subsidizes the Children’s Center to keep the rates affordable for it’s students while offering a quality program.

PARKINIG:

Parents who use the services of the Orchard Ridge Children’s Center are given a parking permit for the-administrative parking lot by M building when registering their child in the Children’s Center. Students do not have to use the designated student lots when bringing their child to the on campus child care facility. This privilege, that allows much closer parking for parents and children, is used only when the child is on campus with the parent. For more information call 248.522.3830 or stop by the center in J291 and speak to a staff member.

FEATURES

• Diverse, multi-cultural pre-school community
• Low pupil teacher ratio (7:1)
• Computer technology
• State licensed facility
• Campus–wide field trips
• Use of outside resources (Farmington Police and Fire Departments)
• Special events (Halloween walk, Holiday gatherings, etc.)
• Professional partnership with Farmington High School’s Skills Center Program Harrison High School’s CBI Program and OCC’S Early Childhood Development Program.
• Flexible scheduling within the College Calendar—Fall, Winter and Spring Semesters
• Center provided snack time twice daily
• Parent provided lunch program with staff and peers
• Daily afternoon “quiet” time

PROGRAM

• Thematic preschool curriculum
• Color, shape, letter and number concepts and recognition
• Related art and music activities
• Story and Circle time
• Listening skills
• Language development
• Peer group participation
• Growth of independence and self-esteem
• Decision making
• Kindergarten Readiness

STAFF

The Orchard Ridge Children’s Center employs a consistent, professional staff with extensive teaching experience and expertise in the Early Childhood arena. The staff has participated in College-wide training for first-aid and other related health issues.

The Center’s staff is supplemented by OCC student workers who are carefully screened by the College’s Public Safety Department and the State of Michigan.

CURRICULUM