About Creative Nursery and Preschool
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.