The Learning Tree Staff

We have a low turnover rate with staff members that have been with us from 2 years to 25 years. Our teachers are certified with a Child Development Associate (CDA), Certificate of Proficiency in Early Care and Education, and an associate degree in Early Childhood Education. Our staff attends professional development workshops throughout the year to keep them abreast of new ideas, policies, and strategies in maintaining a safe, educational environment.

When a child enrolls at the center the parents or guardian are automatically a part of our Learning Tree family. We strive to have a genuine relationship with all members of the child’s family that frequent the center.

The staffs nurturing and caring qualities for the children and seniors is reflected daily. This is a necessary ingredient to develop healthy and happy children and to prolong the longevity of the senior enrollee. We listen to our mothers, most who are single moms, we learn their needs and strive to support them in many areas. We operate a food pantry, to assist then with their food budget, a free store for clothing and shoes, etc. We offer referrals to assist with utilities and even housing. Counseling is done when a parent seems stressed out or needs encouragement. Our parents are asked
to assist us for special projects or to volunteer when they can.

Our senior’s children are also encouraged and we offer referrals to them to assist them with their needs. Our objective for our families is to help keep then united to make for stronger families, which creates strong communities.

Our mission is to provide quality care and numerous resources to our children. Our program is designed to strengthen and develop the social, emotional, physical, and mental skills of every child ages six weeks to 12 years of age.

Developmentally appropriate learning experiences are our number one priority for all children. We incorporate our fine arts program so they can be exposed to greater avenues of learning. We contract with artist of different disciplines for 10 weeks each to bring their particular art to our school age children. The workshops include dance (African, Tap, Step, and Modern), drumming, painting, drama, piano-keyboard, singing. Harmonica and violin. Since most low-income families have difficulty paying for private lessons for their children, we offer these lessons at no additional cost to their families. The children are able to exhibit what they have learned at our outdoor festival each year.

Our regular curriculum which is Project Construct and Creative Curriculum is offered daily. The school-age program also offers numerous field trips to interesting and educational sites throughout the city. Some sports are an additional component of our program, softball, kickball and swimming are offered during the Spring, Summer and Fall months.

We also provide the children with free lead and dental screening and appropriately needed shots, pending the approval of their parents.

In conclusion, the enrollees receive breakfast, lunch and a snack daily. This program is licensed and accredited by the city of St. Louis and state of Missouri, and operates year round.

 

The Learning Tree has “devoted itself to increase our ability of offering quality services to a greater number of seniors and families in the community. Our goal in working with seniors is to reduce isolation through dynamic socialization. Their participation in engaging activities serves to stimulate and thereby provide methods of coping with weaning memory and lethargy.

Our expertly trained nurse supervises various interactive activities. Fueled by the smiles and energy from our youth, our intergenerational curriculum includes exercise, 1:1 with dimension, arts & crafts, music and games. Short distance field-trips are taken in our own vehicle, driven and chaperoned by our staff professionals.

We also address the therapeutic need of our seniors. Exposing them to various art forms provides therapy for aging seniors. The arts also increases their mobility and coordination, promotes relaxation, improves memory and restores the creative spirit of each senior. This program helps seniors to renew and express their creativity and imagination. The result is that seniors can live and maintain an exciting, healthy lifestyle. The Learning Tree is licensed by the Missouri Dept. of Health and Senior Services.

 

Your Contributions Are Welcomed

The Learning Tree serves children that reside predominantly in the Greater Ville Area, where most of the children come from homes that are below the poverty level. Our goal is to make sure that these children do not lack the necessary items for survival or miss out on activities that would help them to be productive as they grow older. We can use your help in our efforts to provide a quality program to the children in the community. The Learning Tree welcomes the following donations all year round:

PRESCHOOL
Staples
Paper (Newsprint)
Finger Paints
Pencils
Toys (shelf toys, trikes, wagons, puppets)
Books (children)
Training Pants
Diapers
Baby Wipes
Baby Bibs
Pacifiers
Children CD’s & Videos
DVD Player
Markers ( washable and permanent)
Jumbo Crayons
Age appropriate board games for all ages: infants, pre-school, school-age
First Aid Supplies (band-aids, first-aid antiseptic cream, alcohol, peroxide)
Crib sheets
Cot Sheets
Blankets for cots and cribs

SENIORS
Depends
Age-appropriate books
DVD Player
Books & Large Puzzles

All donations should be new or slightly used please — thank you.

Acknowledgements - Private Contributors

Alderman Sam Moore, Alderwoman April Ford, Anne Cummings, Armetta Whitmore, Barbara Harris, Belinda James, Clark Simmons, Dorothy Middlebrook, Early Wilson, Elmer Lewis, Isabelle Kopec, Joan Bricetti, John Ebeling, Judy Bently, Julie Tubbs, Julius B. Anthony, Karen Gainor, Kathleen Seeger, Kenneth Gant, Larry Richardson, Margaret Bush Wilson, Mark Scott Carroll, Marva Wells, Marzelle McPherson, Dr. & Mrs. Homer Nash, Mr. & Mrs. Tony Hill, Patrick Norman, Paul Glasper, Perlie Evans, SaTonya Booker, Stacy D. Clay, Steve & Mary Domihidy, Steve Cousins, Tony Ellebract, William Wells

The Learning Tree Intergenerational Center serves to provide quality care and resources to children and seniors with an emphasis on a strong program that ministers to the holistic needs of the family.

We currently provide the following services: Infant –Toddler Program, Pre-School, Head Start, Senior Adult Day Health Program, Fine Arts, School-Age Summer Enrichment Program, Latch-Key, Health and Dental Screenings, and a Food Pantry.