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About
The Full Story
Mission Statement
A Shining Star Learning Center’s mission is to provide excellent early
childhood care and education to the families and children in our community.
Bringing out the shining stars in children 6 weeks to 12 years.
Why do we shine?
• Safety and Security
• Comfort and Attention
• Family Atmosphere
• Unique Curriculum
• Experienced and Trustworthy Staff
• Facility Designed with Young Children in Mind
Curriculum
A Shining Star Learning Center is committed to helping give your child the best
in early childhood care and education. We offer an outstanding curriculum that
is designed specifically for your child. A Shining Star Learning Center has
adapted The Creative Curriculum, a theory and research based curriculum that
focuses on the play in the child’s environment.
The Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers, & Twos main goals are:
Social/Emotional Development: Children learn about themselves and others
around them through their surroundings, positive interactions, and the trusting
relationships that are formed with the staff.
Physical Development: Children learn about movement through gradually taking
control of their body as they develop new motor skills while exploring their environment.
Cognitive Development: Children learn about the world. This involves how
children think, reason and solve problems in their environment. They use their
senses to explore their world and get a better understanding of it.
Language Development: Children learn to communicate through facial
expressions, gestures, body movements, and verbal language. When children
interact with adults they are encouraged to communicate which can build
a large vocabulary of words.
The Creative Curriculum for Preschool:
The Creative Curriculum is an environmentally-based curriculum which teaches children necessary skills and helps with their social development. The learning environment is the structure within the classroom. Within this environment are interest areas that allow the children to explore, discover, and grow.
Some of these interest areas in the classroom are; Blocks, Dramatic Play,
Toys and Games, Art, Library, Discovery, Sand and Water, Music and Movement, Cooking, and Computers.
To learn more about The Creative Curriculum go to http://www.teachingstrategies.com/page/CCS_Overview.cfm
History
In 2000, the seven original owners brought together their educational
backgrounds and expertise to create A Shining Star Learning Center.
Each had a passion for children with additional backgrounds in business
management, education, construction, insurance, marketing, and finance.
The founders of A Shining Star Learning Center envisioned creating a child care
center in a clean and safe family environment designed specifically for children.
The goal was to provide fun, educational activities and programs presented by
loving and comforting staff members who would provide quality care and
instruction.
After A Shining Star Learning Center opened in 2002, two of the co-owners,
Jyl and Bob Waller, became actively involved in the business. Currently, Jyl is the
executive director and Bob oversees business administration, as well as attending
to building and maintenance needs.
What the founders originally envisioned has become reality.
Employment
A Shining Star Learning Center has high standards when it comes to hiring staff.
At some centers, “liking kids” is about all it takes to get a job. Not here.
We look for people who not only enjoy working with children but also want
to help them learn and grow.
Specific education or experience with young children is helpful, but not always
required. We are looking for the right person with the perfect level of experience,
skill, and compassion.
Our benefits include:
• Competitive pay
• Paid vacation/sick days
• Child care discounts
How to join our team:
• Print an application. Download here or pick up an application at the center.
• Mail, fax, or drop off the application to the center.
Staff Qualifications
Per Illinois Department of Children and Family Services:
Qualifications of Directors
• 21 years of age
• High school diploma or GED
• 60 semester hours of credit from an accredited college or university
with 18 hours directly related to child development
Qualifications of Early Childhood Teachers
• 19 years of age
• High school diploma or GED
• 60 semester hours of credit from an accredited college or university
with 6 hours directly related to child development
Qualifications of Early Childhood Assistant Teachers
• 18 years of age
• High school diploma or GED
Qualifications of Food Service Manager
• 18 years of age
• High school diploma or GED
• Food Sanitation Certificate
Background Checks
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and A Shining Star
Learning Center require employees pass the following background checks:
Illinois State Police clearance, FBI clearance, Sex Offender clearance, and
State Wide Automated Child Welfare Information System (SWACWIS).
Each of these requires the candidate have no record of felony criminal
convictions or other record of criminal activity that may affect the their
suitability to care for children.
Traits we look for when hiring; Professionalism, Enthusiasm for children, Compassion, Promptness, Personality, Appearance, Social skills, Work history.
