At Prime Time Children’s & Youth Activity Center, we embrace a child-centered philosophy that acknowledges the unique needs, potential, and rights of each-and-every child. We believe the early years are the prime years and are crucial in shaping a child’s future, therefore we give all children opportunities to enjoy experiences that we believe every child should have while providing a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment where children can thrive, explore, and develop a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

In following our philosophy we recognize that children are active participants in their own learning while being treated with respect, empathy, and dignity. The term “Prime Time” signifies the critical importance of nurturing care and one-on-one interactions in the child’s life in our program – those moments where the child feels they have the full presence of another human being (adult or child) or is thoroughly engaged in a learning moment. “Prime Times” is when the key elements of emotional intelligence are being developed.

We believe in treating all children, families, and staff members with respect, empathy and dignity. We foster an inclusive and diverse community that celebrates differences, promotes cultural understanding, and embraces individual abilities and backgrounds. We strive to provide an environment where everyone feels valued, accepted, and included.

We believe play-based learning is paramount in children’s ability to learn as they play. Play is a natural and essential way for children to learn, communicate, problem-solve, and develop social skills. Our program has the ability and creative facility to offer extensive opportunities for play-based learning inside and outside of our doors.

We understand and respect that children develop at their own pace and ability, and have unique learning styles. At Prime Time we emphasize individual development at all ages and stages.

At Prime Time we continually evaluate and improve our program through regular assessments and feedback from parents, staff, and children as well.

Maintaining a qualified dedicated staff who receive ongoing professional development and training to ensure the highest quality of care and education for the children in our care is paramount. Prime Time’s staff have not only been with us for an average of 10 years, but many of our staff were once children enrolled in our program who have grown up to love the atmosphere and purpose of Prime Time enough to continue as our teachers and teacher assistants.

Prime Time’s staff are continually providing opportunities for children to develop positive values such as kindness, compassion, honesty, responsibility, and independence.

Prime Time fosters a sense of community by organizing regular family events, activities, and opportunities for collaboration with local organizations and agencies and the families we serve.

Supporting children with special needs is a focus of Prime Time which we do by screening, assessing, and making accommodations to ensure full participation and inclusion in our program whenever possible. In fact we are included in Maryland’s training video on inclusion and the importance of early childhood programs including all children in their care with training and adaptations as necessary due to our history of caring for ALL children.

Maintaining a clean, organized, and inviting physical space that was built just for this purpose and is conducive to learning and promoting children’s health and safety is what we all strive for at Prime Time.

Communicating with families and engaging in conversation is ongoing through the software we use, as well as daily contact at drop off and pick up each day. We also provide monthly newsletters that outline what is happening each day, and week of the month.

While operating day-to-day we strive for excellence in all aspects of our child care program, adhering to local regulations and our industry’s best practices.

At Prime Time all children will be challenged to achieve their maximum potential in a nurturing, stimulating, educational, and safe environment. We are committed to delivering high-quality services that promote the growth, well-being, and happiness of every child entrusted to our care.

Core Values:

• Child-Centered Approach: We prioritize the needs, interests, and unique characteristics of each child. Our programs are designed to foster their physical, intellectual, social, emotional, and creative development, ensuring they reach their full potential.
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• Safety and Security: We maintain a secure and protected environment where children can freely explore, learn, and play. Our dedicated staff adheres to rigorous safety protocols, providing constant supervision and implementing measures to prevent accidents or hazards.
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• Nurturing Environment: We create a warm and welcoming ‘homelike’ atmosphere that cultivates a sense of belonging and encourages positive relationships. Our team of compassionate caregivers builds trusting connections with children, supporting their individuality and offering guidance and support as they navigate their early years.
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• Educational Excellence: We believe in the power of education to shape young minds. Our programs follow evidence-based curricula that integrate play-based learning, age-appropriate activities, and hands-on experiences to stimulate cognitive growth, critical thinking, and a love for lifelong learning.
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• Partnership with Families: We recognize the vital role families play in a child’s development. We actively engage parents and guardians in their child’s journey, maintaining open lines of communication, and collaborating to ensure continuity between home and our child care program through use of software, and daily communication at drop-off and pick-up times.
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• Cultural Diversity and Inclusion: We celebrate the richness of our diverse community and foster an inclusive environment that respects and values every child’s background, culture, and abilities. 
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• We aim to instill empathy, acceptance, and a global perspective among our young learners.
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• Professionalism and Continuous Improvement: 
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• Our dedicated staff members undergo rigorous training, possess the necessary qualifications, and continually enhance their skills to provide exceptional care and education. We strive for continuous improvement, regularly assessing and adapting our programs to meet the evolving needs of children and families.

Through our unwavering commitment to these values, we aim to create a foundation of knowledge, love, and self-confidence that will empower children to flourish academically, socially, and emotionally, preparing them for a successful future with extensive memories of positive experiences at the Prime Time in their lives.