SHED Inc. is a non-profit, self-supporting corporation, that is overseen by a Board of Directors. SHED Inc. has a teaching staff and a parent advisory board that is overseen by the Program Director and the Executive Director. The program is licensed and regulated by the Office of Child Care Services.

Our staff is comprised of certified teachers, recreation experts, college students, and experienced adults who serve as superior role models. We also staff our program with teens that are employed, or volunteer their time, after school. Parents are actively involved in our programs through volunteering, a Board of Directors and a Parent Involvement Committee. A newsletter is produced monthly so parents are aware of curriculum plans, community workshops and offerings, school calendar changes, grants or awards, developmental and parenting guidelines, and general information about the management and policies of the program.

We believe that a childcare/enrichment program should strive to meet the social, cognitive, emotional, and physical needs of a child. While respecting the individuality of a child's development, a program should foster a sense of community within the group, encourage learning among the children, and enhance children's emerging social skills.

The environment in the center should be welcoming, safe, nurturing, and home-like, so that it may encourage independence and respect for self and others. The curriculum should be based on the philosophy that each child is unique and has different needs, interests, and abilities. It should be designed to reflect those needs and interests while challenging children's curiosity and creativity. The ultimate goal should be to develop the whole child: mind, body, and spirit.

The teaching team at the center will be responsible for writing the curriculum based on the needs and interests of the individual children. The curriculum will include opportunities to:

• Promote learning in the academic areas, which are age and developmentally appropriate: science exploration, music, number awareness, foreign and sign language awareness, language development and reading readiness, large and fine motor development, art and sensory development, and dramatic play
• Promote social and cultural awareness and acceptance
• Promote health, nutrition, and safety awareness
• Stimulate thought and foster curiosity and inquisitiveness
• Create child initiated and teacher directed activities through emerging curriculum that encourages children to be active learners