by Skip Anderson

At the Vanderbilt Childcare Center, fingers become calculators, plastic storage bins become swimming pools, and milk crates become trains and/or skyscrapers, depending on whether the boxes are side by side or stacked upon one another. Mealtimes, like most all of the activities at the center, are learning experiences for the 92 children whose parents work at the University.

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"We view everything as a learning experience," said Rhonda Laird, early childhood coordinator at the center located on Edgehill Avenue. "Our goal is to seize each moment and prepare the children socially and emotionally for life experiences."

Diane Neighbors, director of Vanderbilt Childcare Center and the Hospital Childcare Center on Belcourt Avenue, credits the success of the programs to the children, parents and staff.

"With the support of the University community we are able to provide a wonderful place for children to play and learn," she said.

Ranging in age from infant to 5, the children's preparation begins at an early age. Morning snack time, for instance, is a prime opportunity for the 16 full-time staff members and two student workers to help them develop social and verbal skills.

"For the older kids, we can work on math. For those almost ready for kindergarten, we can even teach fractions," said Laird, holding imaginary cups in her hands. "Do you want a half-cup of milk, or a whole?"

The successful implementation of this philosophy by a qualified staff has not only earned the center accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, but also the appreciation of many parents. Terrie Spetalnick, who works with the University's newly formed Information Infrastructure department, frequently visits the center during the day.

"I'm often a guest for lunch," said Spetalnick, whose daughter Allie is in the Shooting Stars group, made primarily of 4- and 5-year-olds. Her oldest daughter, Tasha, is a rising second-grader at Eakin Elementary and an alumna of the center.

"Great parents and great teachers are what make our program so successful," said Laird. "The parents talk with their kids after school about their day at the center, and they participate in teacher meetings."

They also serve as chaperones on field trips to places such as the Nashville Zoo, the Acklen Avenue Post Office and Earl's Fruit Stand in Franklin, to see the famous pumpkin patch in the fall.

Some of the teachers have been with the center since it opened more than 17 years ago. Claire Gant, whose daughter attended the center in the mid-'80s, is a teacher for the older children.

"We work to make the children as independent as possible," said Gant. For instance, each child in the Shooting Stars class is assigned a water bottle with his or her name on it. Between snacks and meals, the thirsty child can go to the milk crate containing all of the water bottles and drink from the one labeled with his or her name.

"If it's empty, the children are the ones who fill it back up," she said. "When they are done with it, they are the ones who put the bottle back into the container with the others."

The walls of the seven classrooms are a testament to learning. There are finger paintings and collages, nine planets and a sun, maps, dinosaurs and photographs. There are shelves with books, and a cage houses a guinea pig named New Guinea: "That's a country!" said one child. There is an aquarium with a fish called Dude, and a terrarium that is home to what appears to be a wet, black lizard with gills.

"Newt is a salamander," said Jasmine, an energetic 5-year-old visiting the class for the morning. "He's an amphibian."

What's the difference between an amphibian and a reptile?

"Reptiles have scales, amphibians do not," said Caleb, beaming upwards toward his teacher.

Jasmine's visit is part of the center's admission process.

"We phase-in kids," said Laird. "We ask that a parent and the child visit twice prior to the first full day. That really helps the student with the transition because they have experience to draw upon, and it helps the parents because they learn what we're all about."

Learning experiences for the children are not limited to the classrooms and snack areas. Weather permitting, late morning is dedicated to outdoors. Some groups don bathing suits and have water play. "Take big steps," said Lisa Zaccarelli, a teacher, as she helps a line of children splash from one tub of water to the next. "One, two, three."

Some climb on the jungle gym or play basketball, while others play games only they understand. Some explore the corners of the shaded, enclosed playground.

"I found a cicada, but he's sleeping," said one boy, holding a suspiciously motionless cicada.

After a few minutes, the children lined up to return inside for group time, a transitional period between outdoor play and lunch. Gant read passages from Pigericks, a book of children's limericks by Australian author Arnold Lobel.

"The kids are getting ready for the summer Olympics in Australia," said Laird. "They're reading books by Australian authors and studying maps of the continent."

Next, it was time for the children to pinpoint their place in the fourth dimension.

"Today is Thursday, Aug. 9, in the year 2000," proclaimed Sam, the calendar helper for the day.

With his eyes shut tight, he drew two names from a bowl to be the lunch helpers. The reading of the names was cause for excitement.

"I have the best job in the world," said Laird.

The Vanderbilt Childcare Center is one of three childcare resources offered by the University. Childcare services are also available through the Susan Gray School at the Kennedy Center and the Hospital Childcare Center on Belcourt Avenue.

For more information, call: Hospital Childcare Center, 936-1990 Susan Gray School, 322-8200 Vanderbilt Childcare Center, 322-8076

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