The Academy at River Ridge
Is where the well-being of you and your child is our number one priority. Our goal is to celebrate childhood and offer robust learning opportunities. To accomplish this we have hired a team of qualified and experienced staff, equipped our classrooms with high quality early learning materials, and created an outdoor playground surrounded by nature. We offer healthy and nutritious meals; and make safety a priority.
Meet our Director!
Originally from New Zealand and having spent time in the Faroes Islands, Iceland and in America, Debra or Debs G as she is referred to, has dedicated almost 39 years to improving high quality care and education to children birth to 8 years old. Of these years 15 have been in management and leadership roles. Debs G is passionate about her work, and teaching others the techniques to inspire children and help them to reach their full potential. She is often called upon by local, state and federal programs to train and provide her insight and knowledge on things that matter most to her.......which is her work with children, our future generation.
MISSION
Our Mission: The Academy at River Ridge provides an extraordinary, progressive early childhood education where young children will spark and cultivate their natural curiosity and lifelong love for learning.
We believe: Achieving our mission is a shared responsibility, where we work with others to provide leadership and access to comprehensive information for community decision making. Our partners include parents, local businesses, educators, social service organizations, community groups, funders and policy makers.
Our primary goals: are to celebrate childhood and help children meet their full potential. We provide a high-quality, early childhood education program, in a healthy, caring environment. Based on principles of child development, our program fosters in children an understanding of self, others and community.
Our curriculum: is developmentally-appropriate, and rich in literacy, mathematics, science, social-emotional skills, physical development and the creative arts. With our approach, children will develop their executive function skills, which will prepare them for kindergarten and life.
"Early childhood education is the key to the betterment of society" Maria Montessori
INDOOR/OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTS
We use high-quality materials that are best suited to stimulate the minds, senses, and creativity of young children as they develop. This includes a multitude of natural and open-ended materials that research has proven to be best for young children.
Check out some photos of our classrooms...
VIRTUAL TOUR OF OUR CAMPUS
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will The Academy at River Ridge (TAARR) be located?
The TAARR is located within the River Ridge Commerce Center, at 401 River Ridge Parkway, Jeffersonville, IN. Coming from Jeffersonville you will turn right at the lights on the corner of IN 62 and River Ridge Parkway. There is an Autoneum building on the corner. Pass Kenco and Trey Street on your right and you will see our River Ridge Learning Center sign at the bottom of our driveway. If you are coming from Charlestown turn left at the lights and follow the directions above.
When will The Academy at River Ridge open?
We are currently open since October 2021 and offer services to children two to five years old. We are a Licensed Child Care Center, Paths to Quality (PTQ) Level 3, accept Child Care Development Funds (CCDF) and On My Way Pre-K (OMWPK) vouchers and are currently working towards becoming a Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provider.
How much would it cost for a child to attend The Academy at River Ridge?
Our tuition costs are revised and set annually in August and align with the rates provided by River Valley Resources for a Childcare Center with Level 3 PTQ status. Parents can also apply for the CCDF and OMWPK Subsidy program, this information will be provided at enrollment. Please call 812 393-5504 or visit our website: riverridgelearningcenter.org to complete the registration form and book a tour of our Academy.
What are the credentials of your teaching staff?
Our teachers degrees include Bachelors, Associates and Child Development Certificate in Early Childhood Education or a related field. Any Assistant Teacher hired with a minimum of a high school diploma will be enrolled into the Child Development Certificate course. All of our teachers participate annually in a minimum 20 hours of Professional Development to support them in their role as a teacher.
What are your hours of operation?
Our Academy hours are 8:00am to 4:00pm Monday through Friday. We offer before care, 7:30am and after care, until 5:30pm. Office hours are 8:00am to 4:00pm, closed Saturday and Sunday.
What meals are provided?
All students receive a nutritious breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack. We follow the CACFP guidelines for healthy nutrition and serving portions.
Does The Academy at River Ridge provide transportation?
At this time no transportation is provided. Parents drop off and pick up their child each day.
Can anyone enroll their children? All families that find our program best suited for their family’s needs are welcome to apply. Priority will be given to the businesses and workforce of the River Ridge Commerce Center and those most in need. Feel free to contact us for availability into our program.
Our Response to COVID-19:
We have the unique opportunity to be proactive in creating systems to keep our children, families, and staff safe and healthy. Below are many of the steps we will be taking:
- Following all CDC and licensing guidelines
- Low child to staff ratios
- Small class sizes
- Meals & snacks served in the classroom
- Usage of disposable, recyclable dishes and utensils
- Extended outdoor time
- Expedited Drop-off and pick up procedures utilizing a software program
- Temperatures are taken upon entry (as needed post COVID)
- Daily cleaning and sanitization of the academy and its contents.
- Children that become ill will be cared for in a private, sanitary, comfortable space until parents/guardians find alternate care.
- Rotation of children’s learning materials
- All items chosen for the academy are being carefully selected to ensure they can be cleaned, sanitized and disinfected.
Non-discriminatory Policy:
The River Ridge Early Learning Center that oversees The Academy at River Ridge enrolls children of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.