Specializing in Montessori education for children aged birth to age 6 years old in a non-profit child care center serving the employees of the VA hospital and Madison area community families. THE MISSION OF THE V.A. KIDS CENTER (VAKC) IS TO PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN OF V.A. HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES AND THE COMMUNITY. VAKC PROVIDES A PROGRAM THAT IS CHILD CENTERED AND PLAY BASED FOR CHILDREN AGES SIX WEEKS THROUGH FIVE YEARS. OUR STAFF USE NAEYC ACCREDITATION STANDARDS AND THE WISCONSIN MODEL EARLY LEARNING STANDARDS AS GUIDANCE IN IMPLEMENTING THE CURRICULUM AND ENVIRONMENT FOR EACH CLASSROOM. WE OFFER A HOME-LIKE ENVIRONMENT WITH OUR SMALL CLASS SIZES AND LOW STAFF-TO-CHILD RATIOS. WE PROMOTE EACH CHILD'S INDIVIDUAL SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL, AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT WHILE ENCOURAGING A LIFE-LONG LOVE OF LEARNING.