WeeMAC

 Franklin Special District’s early childhood education center, WeeMAC, is open year-round for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, offering a nurturing and caring environment in which they can grow and learn. Licensed by the Tennessee Department of Education, it was created to care for the children of employees and their families, but also accepts families who do not have relatives working in the district on a space available basis. Tuition is comparable to other childcare facilities in the area and the program is self-sustaining.

Philosophy:  WeeMAC believes that children flourish in a caring, nurturing, yet stimulating environment where they are encouraged to explore using developmentally appropriate toys and learning tools. We believe that play is the work of the child. Through exploration and play, children reach developmental milestones as they are guided by childcare professionals who use an integrated approach to helping the child learn and grow.

What does developmentally appropriate practice mean? It means that there is no one “formula” that will work for all children. The teachers, therefore, adapt materials, experiences, and strategies to meet children’s individual needs. It also means that the setting allows play to be the major activity. Developmentally appropriate practice is based on the assumption that children will need to communicate effectively, work well with others, problem solve, gather and interpret information in increasingly complex ways, and easily adapt to new situations when they are adults. It also allows children to learn to express their feelings, understand the feelings of others, and develop a strong sense of self, which creates a foundation for later relationships.

Our Staff:  We look for teachers and caregivers that love young children and understand how to work with them. We look for people who have had experience in the early childhood field and who are still eager to learn and develop themselves. They should understand what is developmentally appropriate for children and should be able to respond to the emotional needs of the children in their care. They should be people who work well under stress and are physically able to perform the tasks required. All of our staff attend professional learning classes throughout the school year to learn what’s new in the field and to refresh their knowledge.

Location and Hours:  Wee MAC is located inside Freedom Middle School, 1000 Excellence Way. The hours are 6:45 – 5:00, Monday through Friday, and the program is open year-round to accommodate the working schedules of school district employees. “We understand how hard it is to find quality, affordable childcare and want our employees to feel a sense of comfort knowing their children are receiving the very best care possible,” said Director of Schools Dr. David Snowden.

 

WeeMAC offers appropriate rooms for each stage of a child’s development:

Tiny Seeds Class (6 weeks to 18 months):  A peek into the Tiny Seeds room will find babies lovingly cared for by trained, professional staff.  The infants are allowed to follow their own pre-determined schedules.  They are fed, changed, and sleep when they need it. As they grow older, many of them no longer require as many naps and their sleeping habits follow a more routine schedule. The babies are read to, exercised, encouraged, and taught how to play with the toys in the classroom. Teachers and caregivers talk to the infants throughout their day to help them with language development. There is music, indoor and outdoor gross motor play, reading books, and lots of movement and activity.  Also emphasized in this age range are good hygiene practices, such as hand washing, as well as managing their own behavior while developing a sense of independence. They’re a busy bunch!

Toddlers & Twos Classes (18 months -3 years):  Our Toddlers and Twos classrooms are a curious bunch, always investigating and drawing conclusions about what they see.  Their language development is amazing as they learn new words and concepts rapidly.  This is the age when potty training begins seriously.  Some have started training when they enter the Toddler class but all will be trained before they move on to the Preschool classroom. As with all classes, routines are important to children this age and they consistently gather for stories and focus on activities that will reinforce cognition in fun and interesting ways.  They get lots of time outdoors. Since this is the “me” or “mine” age, they are learning to share and be kind as well as how to express their own needs and desires appropriately. 

Pre-School (3-4 years) & Pre-Kindergarten (4-5 years):  
The emphasis in the Preschool and Pre-K classrooms is preparation for kindergarten. In these classrooms, some children will leave at the end of the year to go to kindergarten, while the younger children will remain with us until they too reach kindergarten age. The curriculum is differentiated for each child’s developmental level. When concepts are introduced to the class, the older children extend their abilities through one-on-one activities while the younger children learn foundational skills.  Children are given many opportunities for exploration and experimentation.  They build language skills by talking with teachers and classmates and by listening to stories read to them in both group and one-on-one settings.  They experiment with writing and learn to recognize letters, letter sounds, and numbers.  They are surrounded by learning opportunities where they explore how things work and how to build and construct on their own. 

Children in these classrooms learn self-control and coping skills, which ultimately help to build their self-esteem.  The children in our Preschool and Pre-K classes do lots of exploring, painting, crafts, and other forms of artistic expression.  They dance, sing, and use their big imaginations through dramatic play. Teacher and student led activities encourage children to achieve developmental goals through engaging play.

 

WeeMAC
Melissa Whitehair, WeeMAC Manager
Amanda Parks, MAC Supervisor
1000 Excellence Way
Franklin, TN  37064
615-591-2559 WeeMAC Office
615-790-4719 MAC District Office