UCP of Central Arizona’s Early Learning Center (ELC) is a high quality developmentally appropriate learning environment serving children ages 6 weeks to 5 years of age with and without disabilities.
Quick Stats (2024-25)
- School Type: Early Childhood / Day Care
- Grades: Nursery/Preschool
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: Verified school update
School Overview
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades Nursery/Preschool
School Calendar
Student Body
Total Students
n/a
Student Body Type
Co-ed
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
School Notes
- The UCP ELC is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children(NAEYC) and Quality First. Our ELC is a 5 star Quailty First Center.
- Although most of the children at the Early Learning Center are developing without delays, 30% of the children have physical and/or cognitive delays that may be related to a disability. This unique environment promotes growth in all the children at the ELC. The children with disabilities are challenged by peer modeling of developmental skills by their classmates. The children without disabilities learn acceptance and understanding of others who are different from themselves through opportunities for friendship.
- The ELC’s inclusive environment sets the program apart by fostering empathy at an early age, preparing all the children socially and emotionally with invaluable life skills.The Early Learning Center has low staff to children ratios to allow children to be engaged in learning opportunities within age and developmentally appropriate groups. The ELC strives to stay within the following NAEYC ratios:Infant Room: 4 infants to 1 adult One- Year- Old Room: 5 children to 1 adultTwo- Year- Old Room: 7 children to 1 adult Preschool Room: 10 children to 1 adultAs the UCP ELC staff are knowledgeable in child development, each child is placed in the appropriate classroom not only according to age but ability. Children are routinely screened using the following assessment tools: Ages & Stages Questionnaires® (ASQ) and Teaching Strategies Gold. In addition, through collaboration with UCP’s early intervention program and clinic therapy program, ELC staff has other professionals to collaborate and consult with. The clinic therapy team provides opportunity for additional developmental screening for the three younger classrooms and an early handwriting screening for the Preschool annually for families who are interested. Some children attending the ELC are able to receive feeding, occupational, speech, and physical therapy during their program day. If the child has services through the Department of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), the child may request to be seen before drop off or after pick up for the caregiver to attend.The staff in the UCP ELC are highly qualified, trained and dedicated to ensure the highest level of care and education for each child. Several ELC staff has been at UCP for several years and have children who do or have participated in the UCP Early Intervention, clinic therapy and/or the ELC program, creating a unique family-oriented atmosphere. Staff is trained to provide the children with various age appropriate activities that engage the children and facilitate learning opportunities. The children are encouraged to learn through play. Classroom activities encourage peer to peer interactions and foster social-emotional growth and development. The Toddlers through Preschool program use Primary Care Groupings to group the children in smaller social settings, providing for more individual interactions with peers and teachers.Laura Dozer Center’s theme is the Enchanted Forest which invites children to play and imagine. The UCP ELC has outdoor play area covered by trees, state of the art playground equipment and a water play area for warm days. The Preschool area has a garden that the children can learn about growing plants. The classrooms and play areas have been designed for safety and to ensure a healthy environment for the children. Our playground and classrooms are accessible according to American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and provide opportunities for all children to have the ability to participate. The UCP ELC is open from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Part time and full time care is available.
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the application deadline for United Cerebral Palsy of Central Arizona Early Learning Center?
The application deadline for United Cerebral Palsy of Central Arizona Early Learning Center is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
In what neighborhood is United Cerebral Palsy of Central Arizona Early Learning Center located?
United Cerebral Palsy of Central Arizona Early Learning Center is located in the Pinnacle Business Park neighborhood of Phoenix, AZ.
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