Yavapai College’s Del E. Webb Family Enrichment Center (FEC) serves young learners by teaching social, physical, and cognitive skills, so families can attend work or school while their children receive a high-quality education.
The FEC is also a laboratory school for college students studying education and allows them to observe teachers in action and learn curriculum.
"At the FEC, we create a safe, nurturing, and engaging early learning environment for young children and their families,” said Makenzie Tormollan, preschool teacher technician. “In the FEC classrooms, you will often see laughs, hugs, and joy throughout the day."
A nationally accredited, five-star Quality First rated early childhood program, FEC recently received reaccreditation status. It had to meet rigorous, evidence-based national quality standards surrounding topics like health, safety, teacher practices, and classroom environments.
Dr. Eric Bucher, the Director of the FEC, has two decades of experience in Arizona’s Early Childhood Higher Education Programs and obtained his Doctor of Education in Leadership & Innovation from Arizona State University. He serves on the First Things First Yavapai Regional Partnership Council as well as the National Association for the Education of Young Children Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs.
Dr. Bucher believes deeply in serving his local community and ensuring young children and their families have high-quality early learning opportunities to grow and thrive.
“I am so proud of the hard work and dedication of our teaching team in helping us become re-accredited,” Dr. Bucher said. “Day in and day out, our expert FEC educators provide high-quality, responsive, and supportive interactions and early learning environments that promote children's growth and development. This achievement is the direct result of the FEC teachers, and I am so grateful for their contributions to children, families, and our community.”
For Shannon Shea, a toddler mentor, the most rewarding thing about working at the FEC is witnessing how much the children’s progress in their development. She described how one of her one-year-olds had minimal verbal communication at the start of the program, but is now able to identify several colors, as well as share thoughts and feelings.
“It’s truly amazing how much children grow during the time they are with us,” Shea said.
Play is essential to a child’s development, according to John Olivas, a toddler teacher and technician at the FEC. The Family Enrichment Center focuses on play-based learning, so children can develop their own ways of learning through play-enriched activities.
“The classroom framework includes many layers that revolve around this philosophy, such as ongoing assessments for each child,” Olivas said. “By observing and documenting children's experiences through ongoing assessments, the teachers can see how children grow in language, cognitive development, social interactions, and gross motor development. We also promote positive guidance by recognizing that children seek information and build knowledge through play.”
To support each child’s individual learning needs, Lauren Calkins, a preschool mentor at the FEC, emphasized that play-based and multi-sensory learning is paramount.
“We incorporate auditory, visual, and kinesthetic activities into our daily routines,” Calkins said. “The children have freedom to explore centers around the classroom that are furnished with high-quality, age-appropriate materials that support learning."
Jeannie Culbert, infant mentor teacher, said children learn the necessary skills for kindergarten while being in a trusting and safe environment.
“The impact of a high-quality early childhood program for parents and children is huge because it sets the foundation for children's lifelong success,” Culbert said.
Studies have shown early childhood experiences have a profound impact on children’s readiness and their lifelong outcomes as adults, according to Dr. Bucher. He said children who engage in quality early childhood education programs are more likely to meet or exceed academic standards in grade school, have improved test scores, graduate high school, attain post-secondary degrees, and have reduced criminal involvement.
“It is clear from the research that quality early learning settings, and importantly the teachers who are tasked with caring for and educating young children, greatly influence children’s development, health, and overall success,” Dr. Bucher said. “However, these positive child and family outcomes are entirely dependent on the quality of childcare that children experience.”
Bucher said the long-term vision at the FEC is to continue to serve as a high-quality early learning center for children and families across the region, build community partnerships, and support college students by offering them a laboratory school to work within.
Yavapai College operates seven campuses and centers throughout Yavapai County and offers more than 100 degrees and certificates, four baccalaureate degrees, student and community services, and cultural events and activities. To learn more about Yavapai College, visit www.yc.edu.
