Business Details
50 Years
experience
Premier Childcare & Early Education in Ithaca, NY
Ithaca Community Child Care Center (IC3) has been a trusted leader in early childhood education since 1976, offering NYS-licensed, NAEYC-accredited care for children aged 8 weeks to 12 years. Our mission centers on providing child-inspired, professionally nurtured care through a philosophy of Child-Centered Active Learning, which emphasizes hands-on, developmentally appropriate education. With a dedicated team averaging 14 years of tenure, we maintain a 1:3 adult-to-child ratio in infant classrooms and offer unique programs like Continuity of Care and intergenerational learning at our Kendal site.Our 20+ years of NAEYC accreditation and 4-star Quality Stars NY rating reflect our commitment to excellence. We foster partnerships with families, ensuring transparent communication through daily updates, parent-teacher conferences, and open classroom visits. Our programsfrom infant care to summer campare designed to cultivate social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth, preparing children for lifelong success.
Services
Infant Program
Toddler Program
Pre-K Program
School Age Program
Summer Camp
Details
- Year established: 1976
Highlights and features
- Experienced teachers with 14-year average tenure
- NAEYC-accredited since 2003, the gold standard in childcare
- Continuity of Care program for secure infant attachments
- Intergenerational programming with Kendal residents
- Low 6% annual teacher turnover rate
Associations and certifications
- NAEYC
- Quality Stars NY
What people say
Patient and professional teachers
Secure attachments formed
Strong parent partnerships
Creative learning environment
Smooth school transition
Services
Infant Program
Our Infant Program serves children aged 8 weeks to 18 months with a 1:3 adult-to-child ratio. Two full-time teachers and a part-time assistant ensure consistent care through our Continuity of Care model. Primary caregivers foster secure attachments while daily communication tools keep families informed about feeding, sleeping, and developmental milestones.
Toddler Program
For 18-month-olds to 3-year-olds, our Toddler Program emphasizes sensory learning and social development. Mixed-age classrooms encourage peer mentoring while co-teachers guide emotional regulation and language skills. Daily activities include music, art, and motor skill development in a safe, stimulating environment.
Pre-K Program
Our Pre-K Program prepares 3-5-year-olds for school through child-led exploration and structured learning. Mixed-age groups promote leadership skills while activities focus on literacy, math concepts, and creative expression. Teachers emphasize empathy development and community building through group projects.
School Age Program
Serving K-5th graders, this program offers homework help, enrichment activities, and supervised play. With a 1:10 counselor ratio, children enjoy arts, sports, and seasonal field trips. Nutritious snacks are provided, and school bus transportation is available from local districts.
Summer Camp
Weekly themed summer camps for grades K-5 include nature walks, water games, and community guest speakers. Daily field trips and special activities run from 9:00 AM-5:30 PM, with optional before-care available. The peanut-free environment ensures safety for all participants.
People
Sherri Koski
Executive Director
Sherri leads IC3's strategic vision with over 20 years of early childhood leadership experience. She ensures program quality while maintaining community partnerships that enhance services for families.
Jeanne Malone
Program Director
Jeanne oversees curriculum development and staff training, bringing 18 years of classroom teaching experience to her role. She specializes in implementing child-centered learning approaches across all age groups.
Lesli Combs
Office Manager
Lesli manages daily operations and family communications, serving as the first point of contact for prospective families. Her organizational skills ensure smooth administrative functioning.
Chris Thomas
School Age Program Leader
Chris directs after-school and summer programs, creating engaging activities that balance learning with recreation. He develops enrichment opportunities based on student interests and staff expertise.
Amanda Bates
Infant/Toddler Teacher
Amanda provides nurturing care in the infant classroom, applying her expertise in early attachment theory. With 12 years at IC3, she helps implement the Continuity of Care model effectively.
Questions
What age groups do you serve?
We care for children aged 8 weeks to 12 years through infant, toddler, pre-k, school-age, and summer camp programs.
Are you NAEYC accredited?
Yes, we've maintained NAEYC accreditation since 2003, meeting the highest standards for early childhood education.
What is Continuity of Care?
Our Continuity of Care model maintains consistent caregiver relationships for infants/toddlers from enrollment until age 3.
Do you offer before/after school care?
Yes, our School Age Program provides after-school care until 5:30 PM and full-day options on school holidays.
How do you communicate with families?
We use daily written logs, parent-teacher conferences, classroom visits, and regular verbal updates for transparent communication.
What safety measures are in place?
We maintain low staff-to-child ratios, secure facilities, peanut-free policies, and background-checked employees for child safety.
