https://www.creativenapstl.com/about daily 0.75 2022-09-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ce3a02982960c670be9de/394d6928-b0c1-4a4c-8fd3-747353ae59b1/CNAP_Logo-1.jpg About - Our history. Creative Nursery and Preschool (CNAP) was established in 2009 as a response to my own personal search for high-quality, safe, educational and licensed child care in the South St. Louis area. After searching for months and not finding anything that fulfilled my requirements, I decided to start my own program. CNAP began as an in-home program, then in 2010 became a licensed in-home program with two part-time assistants. In 2012, we moved into our current location at 6500 Arsenal as a licensed child care center with a maximum enrollment of 34 children. In 2020, we expanded by acquiring the property next door at 6506 Arsenal and converted that into a dedicated infant space for 8 infants, increasing our overall capacity to 42 children. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ce3a02982960c670be9de/1655928653700-RC80XQCYAV36VWDJ8GK7/unsplash-image-Cq9slNxV8YU.jpg About - Our Goal. Our goal at Creative Nursery and Preschool is to provide a nurturing environment and learning-through-play approach that supports social-emotional, cognitive, language, and physical development. In addition, literacy and mathematics objectives are incorporated into the program through a combination of hands-on activities and exploration of materials as well as direct instruction. All toys, materials and activities are developmentally appropriate according to the age and abilities of each child. We utilize the Creative Curriculum in our program, which is a research-based, child-centered curriculum that encourages learning through play and spans the areas of literacy, mathematics, science, social studies and the arts. There are 10 interest areas in the curriculum including blocks, dramatic play, toys and games, art, library, discovery, sand and water, music and movement, cooking and outdoors. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ce3a02982960c670be9de/1655949684507-DY08T5VLD4CGLO8VEE2P/unsplash-image-7E29j_4GBNI.jpg About - Our core values. The high-quality nutrition at CNAP sets us apart from other programs in the area. Meals include lean proteins and vegetarian options, whole grains, whole fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy fats and hormone-free milk. Meals are prepared on-site each day. We are able to accommodate and provide substitutes for children who have food allergies, sensitivities, or other dietary restrictions. Another core value of our program is a strong focus on social-emotional development. At CNAP, we do not rely on time-outs or punitive forms of punishment, but instead, maintain a commitment to teaching appropriate behaviors, reinforcing positive behaviors and teaching children strategies, alternatives and problem-solving skills that will help them be more successful in their interactions with each other. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ce3a02982960c670be9de/1655949913083-7TAXPFFUKFJ52MUR5ZRI/unsplash-image-bNUGJD3gO94.jpg About Parents receive a written report at the end of each day detailing daily activities as well as diaper changes or potty visits, meals and naps. Photos will periodically be made available via Facebook so parents have an idea of what their child experiences throughout the day. Parents are free to drop-in at any time. We fully support breastfeeding mothers and will also work with parents who are using cloth diapers. CNAP is a licensed child care program and is inspected annually by a State Fire Marshall and a State Sanitarian, is inspected at least twice a year by a State licensing representative and is inspected annually by the City of St. Louis. All staff are required to attend 12 clock hours of trainings annually. Many staff members attend the annual River’s Bend Association for the Education of Young Children conference, which is the local chapter of NAEYC. At least one staff member certified in CPR and First Aid must be on site at all times, but the majority of our staff are certified in CPR and First Aid. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ce3a02982960c670be9de/e76c5097-3b2f-48bf-88f4-eee040b97e4a/tempImagemlsehj.jpg About - My Background. My name is Erica Schmitt and I am the Owner and Director of CNAP. I have taken coursework towards a Master’s of Elementary Education/Emphasis in Early Childhood Education program at the University of Missouri – St. Louis. I received my B.A. from Baruch College – City University of New York in Music in 1999. Full-time CNAP staff members typically have educational backgrounds, certificates or degrees in Early Childhood Education or closely related fields or significant prior experience in early childhood education programs. Part-time staff are typically college students pursuing degrees in Early Childhood Education or other closely related fields and/or who have had prior experience in child care programs. My husband Jerome and I have two wonderful children, both of whom attended CNAP for their early childhood education. https://www.creativenapstl.com/openings daily 0.75 2025-10-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ce3a02982960c670be9de/1655830957811-4QLAON59QQ9QHZQIU7D5/unsplash-image-Ng2n54lAKcs.jpg Openings - Current CNAP Openings Infants: 0 Toddler (1-year old): 0 - we will have a Toddler opening in January 2026 for a toddler with a date of birth between April through August 2024. 2-year old: 1 - we have an immediate opening for a child who will turn 3 by January 31, 2026 Preschool (ages 3-5): 1 - we have an immediate opening for a child between the ages of 3 and 5 To be added to our waiting list, please email your child’s date of birth and your contact info to creativenapstl@me.com and you will be contacted if an opening becomes available that is appropriate for your child’s age. Most openings are filled by children on the waiting list, so I highly encourage you to send your child’s information so you can be contacted when we have an opening. Due to a high volume of inquiries, I may not be able to respond to each one, but please know that your information will be kept on file and you will be contacted if an opening becomes available. https://www.creativenapstl.com/menus-and-lesson-plans daily 0.75 2022-06-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ce3a02982960c670be9de/1655948996362-JKDCK3TS48GL7JNZDOHY/unsplash-image-xh77Hx9Im2s.jpg Menu and Lesson Plans - The nutrition at Creative Nursery and Preschool sets us apart from other nearby childcare options. My philosophy is that children should eat healthy, minimally processed foods from the earliest ages. I provide healthy meals including lean proteins and vegetarian/vegan alternatives, whole grains, fresh or frozen vegetables, fresh fruits, healthy fats and hormone-free milk and milk alternatives. I am familiar with common food allergens and can accommodate families with food-allergic children. I buy as many organic and seasonal ingredients as possible. All infant purees are homemade. CNAP parents are emailed a menu, schedule of activities and preschool lesson plan at the beginning of each week. https://www.creativenapstl.com/hours-tuition daily 0.75 2025-01-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ce3a02982960c670be9de/1655947673741-WJVFHGU5M5Q9FHOH92HB/unsplash-image-vJH_a_prTA4.jpg Hours & Tuition - Hours and Tuition Hours: 7:00 AM-6:00 PM Monday through Friday Full-time only Weekly Tuition - 2025 rates: $440 – Infant classroom $415 - Toddler (1-year old) classroom $315 – 2-year old classroom $290 – Preschool (3-5 year old) classroom There is a 10% sibling discount for the oldest child in the same family. Breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack are included in the weekly payment. Parents furnish diapers, wipes, specialty formula and/or breast milk (if used). Homemade purees and solid foods are provided for infants. https://www.creativenapstl.com/curriculum daily 0.75 2022-06-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ce3a02982960c670be9de/1655947973879-WHH8IWSFC7F7PJVOC5NJ/GettyImages-1044754710.jpg Curriculum and Assessment - CNAP Curriculum. We utilize the Creative Curriculum, which is a research-based, developmentally appropriate curriculum that guides how the environment is set up as well as the types of play and experiences in which the children need to engage. The curriculum also outlines the objectives for learning and development for children from birth through Kindergarten. It is a comprehensive curriculum that is rooted in constructivism, which is sometimes referred to as learning through play. Interest Areas of the Curriculum The 10 Interest Areas are as follows: Blocks, Dramatic Play, Toys & Games, Art, Library, Discovery, Sand & Water, Music & Movement, Cooking and Outdoor Play. If you would like to learn more about the Creative Curriculum please visit http://www.teachingstrategies.com/. In 2018, we entered into a partnership with Parents as Teachers for annual assessment of all children in the program. Parents as Teachers utilizes the Ages and Stages screening for infants, toddlers and 2-year olds and the DIAL-4 screening for Preschoolers. For more information on Parents as Teachers, please visit https://parentsasteachers.org. https://www.creativenapstl.com/careers daily 0.75 2023-01-05 https://www.creativenapstl.com/home daily 1.0 2022-09-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ce3a02982960c670be9de/1655870846916-9VCOKX9BR49FE6IBDCEZ/unsplash-image-3CTufp-cpzo.jpg CNAP Home - Our Staff. We have fourteen talented and dedicated teachers on staff who have educational backgrounds in Early Childhood Education (or closely related fields), significant prior experience or are currently pursuing their degree. All teachers are required to obtain 12 clock hours of trainings annually. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ce3a02982960c670be9de/1655870943359-NEKT32FRZ8IQB0V42EBN/unsplash-image-tb5A-QTI6xg.jpg CNAP Home - Nutrition. The nutrition at Creative Nursery and Preschool sets us apart from other childcare programs in the area. We serve healthy, minimally processed foods from the earliest ages. We also accommodate families with food-allergic children or those with other dietary preferences or restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, etc). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/628ce3a02982960c670be9de/1655871340264-4TG3EDQB0Y1GJ981CSX0/unsplash-image-oV6RSDQlq8Q.jpg CNAP Home - Curriculum & Assessment. Creative Nursery and Preschool utilizes the Creative Curriculum, which is a research-based, developmentally appropriate curriculum that guides how the environment is set up as well as the types of play and learning experiences the children participate in throughout the week.