About The Children's Enrichment Center
First-Centenary Children's Enrichment Center is a non-profit full day program for children ten weeks to five years old. The Children's Enrichment Center was established by the church to serve its members and the community at large. It is licensed by the Tennessee Department of Human Services. The Children's Enrichment Center, through its trained experienced educators, offers an educationally sound and creatively exciting place for children to grow and develop. By meeting or exceeding the adult to child ratio set by the state, each child is assured of close supervision and attention. They will be given the opportunity to progress at their own rate, gaining a positive self concept and a healthy Christian outlook on their ever expanding world.
The Children's Enrichment Center follows a Reggio Inspired Emergent Curriculum which is a non-traditional style of teaching that presents children with the gift of discovering the world around them by encouraging them to explore life through their own interests and passions. It is "child lead" or "child based" learning as opposed to "teacher directed" learning.
Inside the bright, cheerful classrooms, the equipment is scaled to fit the child's needs. Outdoors, the playground fosters growth, development and creativity. The relaxed inviting atmosphere of the Center helps in maximizing the child's potential as well as making the child's transition from home to /child care an easier one. The basic policies and administrative responsibilities of the Center are under the direct control of a governing committee comprised of First-Centenary United Methodist Church members and the Center's director.
The Children's Enrichment Center follows a Reggio Inspired Emergent Curriculum which is a non-traditional style of teaching that presents children with the gift of discovering the world around them by encouraging them to explore life through their own interests and passions. It is "child lead" or "child based" learning as opposed to "teacher directed" learning.
Inside the bright, cheerful classrooms, the equipment is scaled to fit the child's needs. Outdoors, the playground fosters growth, development and creativity. The relaxed inviting atmosphere of the Center helps in maximizing the child's potential as well as making the child's transition from home to /child care an easier one. The basic policies and administrative responsibilities of the Center are under the direct control of a governing committee comprised of First-Centenary United Methodist Church members and the Center's director.
Employment
Qualifications
Our staff is hired in compliance with the state requirements and qualifications as a base minimum. When hiring educators we take a lot into consideration such as experience, education and dedication as we know every educator brings their own strength and professional growth with them once they are hired. We also believe that you hire not only by education but also by the heart. We believe the Children’s Enrichment Center staff is a family and a team and when an educator is hired they understand this is a profession and a commitment as we are raising the future. We have a strong belief in professional development that exceeds the minimum state requirements.
Application
Please click on the file icon to fill out the employment application and email it to cecdirector@fcumc.org.
Tonia Taylor
Director
I received an Associate degree in Applied Science for Early Childhood Education from Chattanooga State in 1994. I am also a 2008 Graduate of the Early Childhood Leadership Academy. I have been at CEC for 27 years. I started working in the classroom in 1993, and for 14 years I was the Assistant Director/Curriculum Coordinator. I became Director in May 2016. I am excited to lead the center as we strive to enrich the lives of young children, build relationships with their families and watch our children grow physically, emotionally and spiritually throughout their time at the Children's Enrichment Center.
I married the love of my life, Kelly in June 2009 and was blessed with three glorious years with him, before he was called to his Heavenly home after a long battle with AML (acute myeloid leukemia).
I have a miniature schnauzer named Freeman who has brought so much joy and laughter to my life.
I am a member of Brainerd Baptist Church and I know without The Lord in my daily life, I would be nothing in this world.
Away from work I enjoy working in my yard, volunteering with various organizations/groups and spending time with my family & friends.
I married the love of my life, Kelly in June 2009 and was blessed with three glorious years with him, before he was called to his Heavenly home after a long battle with AML (acute myeloid leukemia).
I have a miniature schnauzer named Freeman who has brought so much joy and laughter to my life.
I am a member of Brainerd Baptist Church and I know without The Lord in my daily life, I would be nothing in this world.
Away from work I enjoy working in my yard, volunteering with various organizations/groups and spending time with my family & friends.
Erica Huggins
Assistant Director
While attending Chattanooga State for my Associate’s degree in teaching, I came to Children’s Enrichment Center to do field work. I was a nanny for four years for a family whose children attended CEC, and I knew it was a wonderful program. I was welcomed to observe the preschool classroom and later offered a part-time job. As the children I cared for got older and I spent more time at CEC, I began to realize that early childhood education was my passion. My plan had always been to teach elementary school, specifically second grade. But I’ve learned over the last few years that God had a different plan for me all along.
That part time job turned out to be my calling, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of such an amazing program dedicated to enriching the lives of young children. After teaching the preschool class for four years and implementing an emergent curriculum, I fell in love with the philosophy behind it.
As Assistant Director and Curriculum Coordinator, I will work closely with the teachers at CEC on implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum from ages six weeks to five years, while instilling values, passion for learning, and a love and appreciation for God and the world around us.
That part time job turned out to be my calling, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of such an amazing program dedicated to enriching the lives of young children. After teaching the preschool class for four years and implementing an emergent curriculum, I fell in love with the philosophy behind it.
As Assistant Director and Curriculum Coordinator, I will work closely with the teachers at CEC on implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum from ages six weeks to five years, while instilling values, passion for learning, and a love and appreciation for God and the world around us.