Greater Rochester Summer Learning Association (GRSLA)
summerLEAP at PreK Program Sites: Early PreK (EPK) & Universal PreK (UPK)
Baden Street Child Development Center
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Founded in 1901, the Baden Street Settlement has continuously and dynamically grown to provide a full range of services to the surrounding neighborhood and greater community. One of the many departments is the Alvin Wesley Child Development Center, which provides services for children ranging from six weeks to twelve years old. The Center is host to both EPK and UPK classrooms.
“These kids feel successful and they are taking that positive attitude straight into kindergarten!”
Program Director: Kimberly Barnes-Ellis
Community Child Care Center
In 1963, Dr. Juanita Pitts, the first black female physician in Rochester, saw a need for quality daycare services for the children of working mothers. In that same year, Dr. Pitts founded the Community Child Care Center in the Corn Hill neighborhood to fill that need. Today the center serves children ranging from the ages of two to twelve and champions the mission to “promote the development of social, emotional, physical, and educational growth for all children.” The center also provides EPK and UPK services.
Program Director: Mischele Terrell
Creative Beginnings at Lakeside
Creative Beginnings at Lakeside (known as Lakeside Child and Family Center until 2015) is a small, quality daycare that has served the Charlotte neighborhood since the 1990s. During the school year, Creative Beginnings serves children with both EPK and UPK classrooms.
“It’s through experiences like this that our students are gaining an amazing perspective on life and on learning.” – Cristine Cook
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Friendship Children's Center
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Since 1926, Friendship Children’s Center has been serving the community as an early learning center. During the school year, Friendship hosts a toddler care program, EPK classrooms, UPK classrooms and a school age program for children up to twelve years of age. The summerLEAP program meshes well in perfect unison with Friendship’s mission to “strengthen and supplement family life through age-appropriate education, emotional, social, and physical experiences.”
Program Director: Joi DiGennaro-McMurtry
Joi DiGennaro-McMurtry is the Executive Director of Friendship
Children’s Center, a not for profit early learning center.
Her favorite quote: “Friendship is where it all begins, this is where
families find the comfort to leave their child and go off to work.
This is the “village” that supports our community.
We work together, help create beautiful, responsible individuals together and celebrate all of life’s moments with our children and their families.”
Joi has a teaching degree from the University of Rhode Island and a Masters in Administration from Brockport College. She has worked with children and families for over 30 years.
Email: j.mcmurtry@friendshipchildrenscenter.com
Phone: 585-342-7250
Generations Child Care and Education
Locally owned since 1993, Generations Child Care is dedicated to serving families in the Greater Rochester Area. We believe in creating an environment where children can thrive from curiosity, discovery, encouragement and play.
Generations takes pride in being part of the care-giving equation that results in a higher quality of life for the families we serve. We are committed to providing outstanding programs in a safe environment where children can succeed individually and together. Understanding the need to assist families with their work and family responsibilities, Generations strives to take the worry out of care giving, by maintaining a standard of excellent care and outstanding communication with our families.
Being nationally accredited means Generations exceeds New York State regulations in quality programming. Accreditation involves a commitment to listening to our families. It also involves a continuous commitment to the discovery and initiation of new approaches identified in the field of early care and education.
Ibero Early Childhood Services
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Ibero Early Childhood Services Center at 777 Clifford Avenue offers an award-winning program that serves as a local model. With a parent engagement rate of 95 percent and the high attendance record for children under 5, both local and national leaders come to us for research and guidance.
Children as young as six-weeks-old through the age of four prepare for school with direct hands-on support from our experienced bilingual and bicultural staff. Together, they work on developing their motor skills, establishing regular reading habits, socialization, and health and wellness.
Staff also work with parents to help them identify and achieve goals for themselves and their entire family. We also collaborate with a strong on-site PTA to fully engage parents in all aspects of their children’s education, including the interview process and the planning of activities and workshops.
Program Director: Ida Perez
Ida Pérez-Director of Ibero Children and Family Stability Services Ms. Pérez has over 27 years’ experience working with low income communities and underprivileged children and families with a high success rate in helping build confidence in young children while assisting families to become self-sufficient and economically independent. She has a Bachelor in Organizational Management from Roberts Wesleyan and is near completion of the National Directors Early Childhood Leadership Credential from Louis University McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership. Her expertise is in policy and procedures, staff development, and ensures quality control and compliance for all federal and state mandates. She has a strong foundation and experience in program assessments, children and family assessments, evaluations (program, child and family) and program development. She is also an adjunct professor for Child Development Associates at Sunny Brockport Rochester Education Opportunity Center in Rochester. Ida is a community activist and host of Su Hora Informativa on Poder 97.1FM, a talk show providing important information that improves the quality of life for the Latino Community.
“I don’t have a plant, but I still have a seed… it still has a chance!” – Ida Perez
Email: ida.perez@iaal.org
Phone: 585-454-1200 x239
Oregon Leopold Day Care Center
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Oregon Leopold is a non-profit organization that has been serving the early childhood community since 1971. After operating a nursery school for five years, the members of St. Simon’s Episcopal Church decided to open a child care center based on expressed parental needs in the community.
We serve the Northeast portion in the city of Rochester, but any city resident can apply.
We offer free EPK and UPK programs through the Rochester City School District during the school year and offer Summer Leap through the Greater Rochester Learning Association during the summer for six weeks for EPK and UPK children. We also have a before and after school program, plus a summer program for children 5-12 years old; for families that are eligible through Monroe County DHS or private pay.
Rochester Childfirst Network
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The Rochester Childfirst Network (RCN) began serving children in Rochester, NY in 1857 and continues to be a leader in advancing the quality of early education today. Since its humble beginnings, RCN has expanded to include two locations – the South Wedge and Center City – in order to serve children ranging from six months to twelve years of age. RCN utilizes the Pyramid Model to promote the social and emotional wellness of their students and to provide targeted services to those who need more support. During the school year, RCN offers EPK and UPK classrooms.
Program Director: Ann Marie Stephan
Email: astephan@rcn4kids.org
Phone: 585-473-2858 x242
Volunteers of America
The Volunteers of America (VOA) Children’s Center has been providing educational programs focused on early childhood development and school readiness since 1987. The VOA has grown into one of the largest providers of Early Childhood programming within the city of Rochester. The center serves more than 500 children and families on an annual basis and provides such additional support services as a full-time Registered Nurse, on-site dental care (in partnership with Anthony Jordan Health), family development services, on-going parent training, and disability supports for children with special needs. In addition, the center has maintained a staff retention rate exceeding 90% over the past five years.
Rob Stedman is the Vice President of Children and Family Services for the Volunteers of America Upstate
New York. In his position, Stedman is responsible for the oversight of programming and services for more
than 360 children and families who are served by the VOA
Program Director: Rob Stedman
Rochester, New York, and provides high-quality, reliable child care and educational programs for children from low-income households.
Mr. Stedman has been a part of the Volunteers of America management team since 2012. Under Stedman’s leadership the Children’s Center has grown into one of the largest community-based providers of Early Childhood programming within the
of Rochester. The agency has established programmatic partnerships with local agencies including the Rochester City School District, Action for a Better Community, the United Way, and the Greater Rochester Summer Learning Association.
Children’s Center. The VOA Children’s Center is located in
Rob is a member of Early Childhood Education Quality Council of Greater Rochester and the “Roc the Future” Workforce Development subcommittee. Mr. Stedman earned his New York State Teaching Certification and Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Alfred University and has over fifteen years of experience in the fields of education and coaching.
Mr. Stedman currently resides in North Chili, New York, with his wife, Nicole, and two sons, Brayden & Reid.
Email: rstedman@voaupny.org
Phone: 585-402-7226