United Way funds help provide programs at Snyder Daycare Center

Editor’s Note: This is one in a series featuring the agencies supported by the Lend a Hand Scurry County United Way campaign.

Last year, 231 children participated in Snyder Daycare Center programs, which are made possible in part because of the Scurry County United Way campaign.
“(The programs) are designed to foster their developmental skills,” said Susan Rios, executive director with Scurry Community Services, where the daycare center is located. “Our teachers receive a minimum of 30 hours a year in training in a variety of early childhood topics and several of them are enrolled at Western Texas College to obtain their degree in early childhood education.”
She said the center uses the Frog Street curriculum, which is appropriate for each age group. The curriculum was designed by educators to help develop a child’s mind at an early age.
The Snyder Daycare Center is one of eight area agencies supported by Scurry County United Way.  It is a non-profit early childhood education agency, located in the building that used to be North Elementary School.
Rios said Scurry Community Services serves families of all income levels so that parents may work and provide a safe and healthy learning environment for their children.
The daycare center, which employs 10 people, serves children ranging from infants to 12 years old. Rios said the classrooms at the center have plenty of space for children to explore, investigate, learn and play.
“In addition, all teachers develop lesson plans to implement in their classrooms using this curriculum along with their observations of the children and any input from the parents.” Rios said. “The teachers use the knowledge they gain from trainings and the classes they take to provide learning environments that are beneficial for the children’s developing skills.”
Rios also said the center’s effectiveness is measured by Texas Rising Star (TRS), a state quality improvement rating system.
“TRS assesses our program annually and gives us training and technical services throughout the year based on the assessment outcome,” Rios said. “We also are frequently reviewed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Child Care Licensing division to ensure that we are abiding by the state child care minimum standards and our facilities are a safe, healthy learning environment for the children we serve. We are honored to continue to serve the community of Scurry County.”