AWARE Center for Early Childhood
237 E. Mercury, Butte MT • 406.531.4261
Center for Early Childhood Preschool
consists of a unique blend of programs
The preschool at the
AWARE Center for
Early Childhood in
Butte, Mont., offers child
care and education for
girls and boys 3 to 5
years old. Opening its
doors winter 2016, the
preschool is the newest
addition to the center.
The warm and inviting
the newly remodeled
classroom is kid friendly with an environment
favorable for early learning.
“
PARENT INSIGHT 
The preschool has high standards, topof-the-line teachers, and it is clean.”
While some of the children advanced to preschool
from the center’s Early Head Start, all families
in Butte and surrounding areas are welcome to
register their child. Scholarships are available to
qualified families, which discount the cost of tuition
for one full year.
AWARE Center for Early Childhood
“
PARENT INSIGHT 
Having a scholarship is helpful. My wife
attends school, and I am the only one
working. We couldn’t do it otherwise.”
“When we found out the preschool would be tuition
based, we weren’t sure we would be able to stay
in the program. I don’t think me and my family
would be where we are
now financially. The
scholarship has helped a
lot, and we appreciate it.”
Discovery to learn
The preschool follows the
Reggio Emilia approach,
which is an effective
and proven learning
philosophy that was
created by a community
in Italy post World War
II. The Reggio approach allows teachers to foster
learning in an organic, age-appropriate way.
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To progress to kindergarten, a child must be ready
socially and emotionally. Students are encouraged
to explore and build relationships with each
other. Teachers encourage and monitor but resist
interfering unless absolutely needed.
“
Take a walk through the preschool classroom, you’ll
notice the activities throughout invite curiosity while
also teaching language, math, science, etc. In one
corner, beautiful bowls and glasses are filled with
colorful water and accompanied by droppers that
allow the children to build dexterity to help them use
a pencil. In another, a reading game is underway
encouraging children to find hidden letters and
match them to fellow students’ names posted on the
wall.
One parent says she sent her son to the preschool
because of its philosophy and curriculum.
“My son is learning math, literacy and most
importantly social skills that will help him be ready
for school.
He attended
another highquality preschool
before AWARE’s
opened, but it
was structured
in a way that
both encouraged
and discouraged
creativity and
problem solving.”
Activities like
those mentioned
above change
from day to day and week to week. The teacher is
consistently observing the children and adapting
lessons in the moment, deepening their learning
based on students’ interests.
AWARE Center for Early Childhood
PARENT INSIGHT 
We want our kids to be at the center
because it’s familiar, supportive and has
excellent educational activities. They’re
learning and being productive.”
Another parent echoes pleasure in her child’s
lessons. “My son has learned how to use the potty
like a big boy, how to dress and put on shoes. He
loves the preschool
and can’t wait to get
there. He always
talks about his
friends and how
they make puzzles
and play with other
classmates.”
Yet another satisfied
parent said, “We
heard the center
helps children with
disabilities. It was the best choice for our son’s
seizures.”
Ready for kindergarten
The preschool adopted the Creative Curriculum,
which tracks each child’s progress. An online
portfolio for each child is updated on a daily/
weekly basis, recording progress on literacy; math;
and cognitive, physical, social and emotional
development.
“I feel supported,” one parent said. “Parent-teacher
conferences keep me up-to-date. I understand what
my son needs to work on and his advanced areas.”
Teachers may write notes, take photos or create
a video that shows progress. Reviewed quarterly,
“
PARENT INSIGHT 
My child has really flourished being
able to explore and discover in a
developmentally appropriate way and in
a diverse class.”
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Preschool success starts with the parent
educational approaches are intentional. This
ensures each child receives the individualized
learning they need to
move on to kindergarten.
For example, if a child
is excelling in language
but needs a little
extra help in problem
solving, the teacher
will set up materials
and interactions that
encourage problem
solving.
“My son is further along
developmentally than if he were in child care,” one
satisfied parent said.
Head Start core values integral
Head Start core values are woven among all
programs at the center, including the preschool. The
core values recognize parents as the child’s first
teacher and respect each family and their culture.
AWARE Center for Early Childhood
The core values are designed to empower
families and acknowledge their need for long-term
outcomes. Each child is treated as an individual,
including the strategies used to teach. The center is
one part of a larger community that works with
its local community, offering resources to support
each family.
“
PARENT INSIGHT 
I believe in the preschool philosophy
and how it helps children in a
developmentally appropriate way.”
Professional support available
Because the center is part of AWARE Inc., children
and their families receive
the benefit of its wrap
around services. AWARE
offers continuous care that
may start even before a
child is born and can carry
on into adulthood. The
center has many touching
success stories, including a
few from the preschool.
• • •
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“
PARENT INSIGHT 
“Staff are easy to talk to. I feel
comfortable if I need to talk to them. It’s
been easy to get referrals if I need one.”
family has been part of the center since my second
son was born. Now his baby brother is enrolled in
Early Head Start.”
For example, one couple’s children started
receiving services just after they were born. Some
tough lessons in life, the family has lived through
domestic violence, substance abuse, detention and
custody loss. With the help AWARE services readily
available at the center, the family was able to get
through the toughest parts. Now they’re working
their way into a stable home environment.
“
PARENT INSIGHT 
“My son knows everyone at the center,
and I like how the center is run.”
“AWARE has been our support system. We want
the kids to be at the center because it’s familiar,
supportive and
has excellent
educational
services. The
kids are learning.
We are learning
as parents.”
Within the school
and its services,
AWARE aims
to hire the most skilled and trained care givers.
Families who are part of the center have direct
access to mental health and case managers, child
development specialists, health and wellness
specialists, family advocates, directors, teachers,
child care staff, administrative assistants, and the
foster grandparent program.
Another preschool parent and employee at the
center also offers praise to the staff, “AWARE is
very supportive to the family, such as before and
after my husband passed away,” she said. “Our
AWARE Center for Early Childhood
Continued education is offered to employees to help
provide the best care possible. Specifically, at the
center and preschool,
staff participate
in practice-based
coaching. Within the
teachers learning and
collaborating group or
using peer coaching
within co-teaching pairs,
teachers set specific
goals, talk about how
they can be implemented
and reflect on the
outcomes. The employees at the center say it’s a
healthy learning environment because they support
each other in their growth.
Learn more about
the AWARE Center
for Early Childhood:
If you have questions, please contact:
Becky Neff, Preschool Director
[email protected]
Or call or stop by:
406.531.4261
237 E. Mercury, Butte, MT
A subsidiary of AWARE Inc.
205 E. Park Ave.
Anaconda, MT
406.563.8117
Aware-Inc.org
Helping people live independent lives
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