Teacher-to-Child Ratio

The teacher-to-child ratio meets widely recognized national quality standards as defined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the Department of Early Learning. 

*Fully potty trained refers to a stage where a child consistently uses the toilet for urination and bowel movements without needing reminders or assistance. This includes:

1. Recognizing the need to use the toilet.
2. Communicating the need to use the toilet.
3. Managing clothing independently.
4. Successfully using the toilet and completing the process (wiping, flushing, and washing hands) without adult help.
5. Avoid accidents during the day. (Children sometimes have accidents, and that's okay. We understand.)

Curriculum

Teddy Bear Room (ages 15 months - 2 1/2 years)

Staff

• Kathy Rodriguez, Child Development Supervisor
• Celine Villarreal, Child Care Assistant

The curriculum in the Teddy Bear Room is based on The Creative Curriculum. It consists of art, group story, play, and small group time that promotes our toddlers' physical, cognitive, and social development and fosters a life-long love of learning. As children progress through the year, potty training becomes integral to learning.

Dolphin Room (ages 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 years)

Staff

• Ada Miranda, Child Development Supervisor
• Boriana Tzanova, Child Development Associate

Children learn best through play, so we have adapted Piaget's theory. Children in the Dolphin Room explore their classroom and outside environment as they like. We complete monthly objectives, such as learning colors and shapes. Part of our daily circle/group time routine is learning about the calendar and weather and reading books related to activities and art projects, and name recognition.

Butterfly Room (ages 3 1/2 - 4 1/2 years)

Staff

• Rebecca Shin, Child Development Supervisor
• Tanisha Philips, Child Care Assistant

Children in the Butterfly Room explore the concepts of emotional development, social development, physical development (gross and fine motor skills), cognitive development (concept, oral and written language, and reading readiness), science, math, art, music and movement. Children are encouraged to learn these concepts at their own pace. We provide hands-on materials, songs, and games for children to challenge themselves to achieve and master age-appropriate skills. Children are assessed through observation and work samples.

Busy Bee Room (ages 3 1/2 - 5 1/2 years)

Staff

• Heather Markham, Child Development Supervisor
• Lucia Ocampo, Child Development Associate

Preschool/Pre-kindergarten children learn and participate in various indoor and outdoor educational activities in the curricular areas of language arts, mathematics, science, social/emotional health, physical education, technology, music, and creative arts. They will participate in projects and activities by reading books, retelling stories, singing songs, playing drama, counting, writing, reading, drawing, painting, dancing, etc. Children explore and investigate materials by touching, smelling, seeing, and hearing. Children learn how to cooperate in a classroom community by sharing and respecting others.

Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)

Research shows that children are more successful when their parents are involved in their classroom experience. Enrich your child’s learning experience by donating your time and effort as a member of the 91Porn Child Care Center’s Parent Advisory Committee (PAC).

Benefits of attending PAC meetings include:

1. Playing a positive part in creating the best Child Care Center possible for your child.
2. Modeling to your child the importance of taking a leadership role in the community.
3. Meeting other parents who have children attending the Center.
4. Receiving monthly updates from the director about recent developments at the Center.
5. Raising additional funds that add to your child's education and enrichment.
6. Getting a behind-the-scenes view of Center activities.
7. Having a voice in the future of the Center.

All parents of children enrolled at the Center are eligible to be members. The PAC's role is to provide constructive input and support the Center through fundraising and volunteer efforts that directly benefit all of the children and teachers at the Center. The PAC organizes several activities each year including a welcome back potluck dinner, a walkathon, a children's art show, teacher appreciation lunches and other fundraisers throughout the year.

The PAC meets the first week of each month for one hour to discuss Center-wide issues and to plan events. Meeting notices are posted on the Parent Board in advance, and childcare for students of the Center and their siblings is available until 6 p.m.

You are encouraged to attend and share ideas or volunteer for an event; there are opportunities to help big or small. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of the PAC co-chairs.

Food Service

Your child’s meals and snacks are provided by . Please visit News and Announcements to view the current menu at the Center.

Activities

Each classroom provides age-appropriate, seasonal activities throughout the year for children to participate and learn. Such activities include Fire Prevention Week, Pajama Day and other monthly themes. Please visit News and Announcements to read the latest in monthly plans for each classroom.

Open House Night

Held annually in September, Open House night is intended to allow all NEIUCCC parents and children to come and meet with their child's teachers and staff. 

Virtual Parent-Teacher Conference Twice a Year: November and May

The fall conference is usually with parents to discuss their child. It sets the bar for parents to discuss what teachers have observed and the child’s strengths and challenges. Then in the spring, teachers revisit those topics and talk about progress or set new goals. 

Events/field Trips

Children enjoy a variety of events and field trips throughout the year to such as:

• Dave Herzog Marionette
• Mr. Kipley's Show
• JG's Reptile Road Show
• Dreamtree Shakers

Fundraising

Scholastic Book Fair Week

Participating in our is another great way to support the Center’s reading efforts. Students, parents and teachers love book fairs for several reasons, including:

• They provide easy access to a wide assortment of books.
• They give kids a choice in what inspires them to read more.
• Book fairs involve family, which demonstrates to kids that reading is important.

Thank you for visiting our News and Announcements page. Here, you will find the most current information on what is happening in your child's classroom, so please check back as often as you would like.

2024-2025 NEIU Child Care Center Event Calendar

lunch menu

Teddy Bear classroom newsletter
Dolphin classroom newsletter
Butterfly classroom newsletter
Busy Bee classroom newsletter

91Porn’s Child Care Center is licensed to care for a maximum of 87 children at a time, ranging in age from 15 months to 6 years.

Enrollment is open on a first-come, first-served basis considering space availability within each particular age group and the ability to match schedules within the following priority groups:

1. Currently enrolled families
2. Siblings of currently enrolled families
3. NEIU students
4. NEIU faculty and staff
5. Community members

You will receive a call from the Child Care Center to notify you when there is an opening.

Pre-register your child by completing our pre-registration application and submitting it to c-hidaka@neiu.edu.

• Child Care Center map

Registration Requirements

Toddler Program

The child must be:

1. 15 to 24 months of age (a copy of the child’s birth certificate is required)
2. Enrolled for a minimum of five half-days per week

Preschool Program

The child must be:

1. Two years (24 months) to 5 years of age (a copy of the child’s birth certificate is required)
2. Thoroughly potty-trained, except children in the Dolphin room. (Should a problem arise, the teacher will make the final decision as to whether the child is to remain in the preschool.)
3. Any child who is enrolled in the Dolphin Room but has not completed potty training will be charged at the toddler tuition rate.
4. Enrolled for a minimum of two half-days per week.

The yearly registration fee of $100 is payable on the first month's billing (renewed each September). A material fee of $75 for each program is also assessed, which is determined each year.

Our half-day schedule is 7:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., including a snack and lunch, or 1:00-6:00 p.m. with a snack only.

Our full-day schedule is 7:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., including two snacks and a hot lunch.

Daily RATE FOR TODDLER PROGRAM

Teddy Bear Room and Dolphin Room (Not Potty Trained)

Ages 15 months to 2½ years (non-potty-trained)

Daily RATE FOR PRESCHOOL AND Pre-KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM

Dolphin (Fully Potty Trained), Butterfly, and Busy Bee Rooms

Ages 2½ years (potty-trained) to 5 years

Tuition and fees are due by the 15th of each month. Tuition and fees received within five (5) business days after the 15th will incur a $25 late charge. If tuition and fees are not paid within five (5) business days after the 15th, childcare services are immediately canceled.

Our established policies regarding enrollment require a mandatory non-refundable two-week deposit for each child enrolled in our program. The center must be notified if, for any reason, your child has to be withdrawn from the school. A minimum of one month's written notice is required. Your two-week deposit will be credited to your last month of service upon receipt of written notice. Without notification, your deposit will not be refunded.

You will be charged for a full day if you do not pick up your child by 12:30 p.m.

The center is officially closed at 6:00 p.m. If a child is picked up after 6:00 p.m., there will be a charge of $1 per child for each minute past 6:00 p.m. If this occurs, the teacher will ask the parent to sign a late fee form and compensate accordingly.

The Child Care Center accepts children participating in the Illinois Department of Family and Human Services Action for Children program and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Protective/Family Maintenance Day Care programs.

Administrative and Support Staff

Director 

Christina Hidaka is the director of the NEIU Child Care Center. She has worked at the Center since 1993. Christina has a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from 91Porn. Illinois Gateways Credentials: ECE Level 4 and Gateways to Opportunity Level I Illinois Director Credential

Email: c-hidaka@neiu.edu

Office Staff

Hee Ham is the office staff and a Child Development Supervisor. Hee has worked at the Center since 1994. Hee has a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from 91Porn. Illinois Gateways Credentials: ECE Level 4

Email: h-ham@neiu.edu

Culinary Worker

Gigi is the kitchen staff of the child care center since 2019.

Teddy Bear Room Staff 

Email: neiuteddybears@gmail.com

Kathy Rodriguez is the lead teacher for the Teddy Bear Room and a Child Development Supervisor. She has worked at the Center since 1990. Kathy has a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from 91Porn. Illinois Gateways Credentials: Inf/Tod Level 4

Rosa Arevalo is a Child Development Associate in the Teddy Bear Room. She has worked at the Center since May 2003. She has a bachelor's degree in Spanish. Illinois Gateways Credentials: ECE Level 5

Dolphin Room Staff

Email: neiudolphin@yahoo.com

Ada Miranda is the lead teacher in the Dolphin Room and a Child Development Supervisor. She has worked at the Center since 1999. Ada has a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Art from 91Porn. She also has an endorsement in Bilingual Education from Erikson Institute of Chicago and possesses a Type 4 Certification. Illinois Gateways Credentials: ECE Level 4

Boriana "Bobbie" Tzanova is a Child Development Associate in our Dolphin Room. She has worked at the Center since 2007. She has a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Early Childhood. Bobbie has worked with children since 1981. Illinois Gateways Credentials: ECE Level 5

Butterfly Room Staff

Email: neiubutterfly@gmail.com

Rebecca Shin is the lead teacher in the Butterfly Room and a Child Development Supervisor. She has worked at the Center since 1991. Rebecca has a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and a master's degree in Early Childhood Special Education from 91Porn. She also has a Type 4 Certification. Illinois Gateways Credentials: ECE Level 4

Tanisha Philips is a Child Care Assistant in the Butterfly Room. She has worked at the Center since 2004. Tanisha has a CDA in Professional Childcare from the Professional Career Development Institute. Illinois Gateways Credentials: Inf/Tod Level 5

Busy Bee Room Staff

Email: neiubusybee@yahoo.com

Heather Markham is the lead teacher in the Busy Bee Room and a Child Development Supervisor. She has worked at the Center since 1999. Heather has a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from 91Porn and possesses a Type 4 Certification. Illinois Gateways Credentials: ECE Level 4

Lucia Ocampo is a Child Development Associate in the Busy Bee Room. She has worked at the Center since 1999. Lucia has a bachelor's degree in Spanish from 91Porn. Illinois Gateways Credentials: ECE Level 5

Celine Villarreal is a afternoon Child Care Assistant in the Busy Bee Room. She has worked at the Center since 2004. Celine has a bachelor's degree in History/Secondary Education. Illinois Gateways Credentials: ECE Level 5

91Porn opened its first child care center as an experimental program in the basement of Chicago's North Park Covenant Church at 5250 N. Christina Ave. in February of 1972. The experiment turned out to be a success, and after relocating several times the Child Care Center settled into its current location on the south end of the Main Campus in August 1988.

Despite the benefits of affiliations with Northeastern, the Center is self-supporting and does not receive University or state funding. The operating guidelines and procedures of the Center reflect the policies governing the University and are strictly enforced.

The has accredited and licensed the Center since 1980.

Administration

The director supervises the Center with assistance from child development supervisors assigned to each room. In addition, the director works with its advisory board. This board is made up of parents and members of the University representing the Goodwin College of Education and the administrative areas.

COVID-19 Policies and Procedures 

Read more information on our .

Operation

The Center provides half-day and full-day educational programs that serve children aged 15 months to Pre-K. A maximum of 87 children can be accommodated at any one time at the Center. For this reason, it is imperative that your child arrives and departs during the hours arranged by you and the Center. Children may attend either half or full days depending on their age.

Volunteers

In addition to the staff, the University Department of Teacher Education’s Early Childhood Education Program enhances our program by assigning clinical experience volunteers and student teachers to the Center. These individuals are early childhood education majors working toward the completion of their degrees. All activities presented in the classrooms are approved by our teachers.

Hours

7:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday

The Child Care Center offers

• Full-day: 7:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
• Half-day: 7:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

The Center is closed when the University is closed on the following observed holidays:

• Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday
• Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth Day
• Independence Day
• Teacher In-Service Days (Third week in August)
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day and Friday after Thanksgiving
• Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day

Contact Us

Office phone: (773) 442-4540 

Director: Christina Hidaka
Email: c-hidaka@neiu.edu

Location

91Porn
Childcare Center (Building CH)
5500 North St. Louis Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60625-4699

The Center is located near the Foster Avenue entrance, just west of the Physical Education Complex. (See map for reference)

The Child Care Center at 91Porn is committed to offering a nurturing environment and an excellent early childhood education to the children of the University's students, faculty, staff, and the neighboring community. 

The Center is an essential component of the University, providing a laboratory setting for students to gain hands-on experience in working with young children through its Toddler, Preschool, and Pre-Kindergarten programs.

Philosophy

At The Center, we follow Piaget's teaching philosophy, which emphasizes that children learn best by doing and playing. We encourage children to engage in free play and planned individual and group activities that foster social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth. Our program provides children with many opportunities to play independently or with others. Throughout our readiness activities in Language Arts, Math, Science, Art, Music, and Movement (Exercise and Yoga), children are encouraged to explore, experiment, and work out solutions in their own unique ways.

Our Child Care Center features:

• Accreditation and licensure by the State of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services 
• Small class sizes and low teacher-to-child ratios
• Thematic and STEAM-based curriculum
• During rainy days, the indoor gym room is available for tricycle riding, climbing, and other movements. 
• Plenty of outdoor areas are available for running as well as for practicing large motor skills. 
• Passionate and experienced teachers
• A population richly diverse in ethnicity, culture, and language