Gateway Association, Inc. was founded as the Madison County United Cerebral Palsy Association in 1953. The focus of the agency grew to include services for children from birth to age 6 with various special needs; therefore, the name was changed to Gateway Association, Inc. in 1985. In 1999, the agency expanded services to welcome children of all abilities into the preschool program. In 2007, the agency again expanded services to include a full-day licensed child care program that welcomes children of all abilities.
Our History
Why Choose Us?
Our Center
Our state licensed, nationally accredited, inclusive child care center in Anderson, Indiana helps young children of all abilities reach their highest potential through education and other support services. We promote social, intellectual, physical, and emotional development.
Our Mission
The mission of Gateway Association, Inc. is to help young children of all abilities reach their highest potential through education and other support systems. We do this by facilitating early education and developmental preschool.
Developmental Learning
Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and level 4 Paths to QUALITY child care program, utilizing a play-based learning environment to help young children, with and without special needs, reach their highest potential.
The Gateway philosophy is that all children have special needs and an inclusive approach to early childhood education is the best way for children to develop appropriate skills while learning and growing together.
We believe that children learn best in a play-based environment. Our teachers guide children through hands on learning experiences, building on the interest and development of each child. The day is structured to include opportunities for free choice, active outdoor play, quiet play, rest periods, and meals. Each day children can choose to play at a variety of learning centers, including writing, art, blocks, discovery, music and movement, and dramatic play. Through our curriculum, we foster a child’s growth in cognitive, social/emotional, physical, and language development. We believe the best way to assess children’s learning is through observing them at play. As children interact with materials and peers in the learning environment, they naturally reveal to their teachers what they know.
We believe that children’s primary caregivers are their first teachers. Because of this, we encourage families to participate in their child’s education in a variety of ways. We have an open door policy, which allows families to visit and interact with their child at any time. We conduct parent-teacher conferences, which keeps communication open and allows parents and teachers to set goals for the future. We invite families to participate in monthly events, such as our Thanksgiving Feast, Winter Program, and Graduation. We continually work to build and maintain relationships that will support learning and help children reach their highest potential.
In our high-quality, inclusive, developmental child care program you will see children playing, exploring and experimenting with materials. Daily classroom activities are individualized to support each child’s specific development and needs. Learning centers are used to facilitate independent learning in cognitive development and fine motor, social/emotional and self-help skills. The children enhance their skills and knowledge while they play in our sensory integration gym, on our outdoor fenced in playgrounds, in our full size gym, in our small gym, and take fieldtrips and walks. Activities may be modified to meet children’s special needs by adapting the environment and learning materials and providing specialized equipment.
- Licensed by the state of Indiana
- Accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children
- Paths to QUALITY Level 4 provider
- On My Way Pre-K provider
- Serves children ages 6 weeks-12 years, with and without special needs
- Ages 6 weeks-5 years: year-round
- Ages 6-12: before/after school and school breaks
- Operates Monday-Friday 6:30am – 5:30pm
- Full-time, part-time, and daily rates available
- CCDF child care vouchers are accepted
- NACCRRA military funding is accepted
- Private pay is accepted
For more information on the Developmental Learning Center and the options you and your family may have, please contact our Director of Early Childhood Programs.
Michelle DeWalt
(765) 649-1900
gateassocincchildcare@gmail.com
Our Classrooms
Daily Routines
Learning Centers
Explore & Experiment
Gross Motor
Group Time
Meals & Snacks
Curriculum focused on Foundations for Early Learning
Each classroom has a daily routine, which includes time for free play, learning centers, gross motor activities, group time, meals, and more. The daily schedule, which is specific to each classroom, is posted on the family information board in each classroom. Our classroom teachers work with children in their classroom both one-on-one and in small and large groups. You will see teachers encourage children as they play, explore, and experiment with materials. Daily classroom activities are individualized to support each child’s specific development and needs. Learning centers are used to facilitate independent learning in cognitive development and fine motor, social/emotional, and self-help skills. To meet children’s special needs, activities may be modified by adapting the environment and learning materials and providing specialized equipment.
Our curriculum focuses on Foundations for the Early Learning as endorsed by the Indiana Department of Education and the Creative Curriculum. All children are assessed to determine their developmental level within thirty days of enrollment. Together, you and your child’s teacher will set individual goals for your child. Periodic reassessments will be done to determine your child’s progress, and goals will be re-established as needed.
Our Gross Motor Areas
Big Gym
Sensory Gym
Small Gym
Outdoor Playgrounds
We have three gyms and two outside playgrounds that give our children a variety of ways to develop their gross motor skills. The equipment in the gyms are changed frequently in order to develop all the major movement patterns and to strengthen the large muscle groups.
The “big gym” is used for riding big wheels, tricycles, obstacle courses, climbing, running, throwing balls, riding on scooters, and other large muscle-developing games and activities.
The “sensory gym” is designed to give children the opportunity to explore their senses through sensory integration. Some children enjoy swinging and spinning – whether on their stomachs in the hammock swing, sitting on the platform swing, or sharing a ride on the bolster swing.
The infants and toddler children use the “small gym” to develop gross motor skills. Riding toys, walking up and down the stairs, and over the bridge helps them develop their balance.
We spend some time outside every day, weather permitting, to develop gross motor skills as well. Our fenced in playgrounds are divided into an infant/toddler space and a preschool/school age space to keep children safe. Our outdoor playgrounds provide opportunities to create music, large and small muscle development, sensory integration, dramatic play, and explore nature. We even have an apple tree!
Call today to schedule a tour of our program!