What type of accreditations and awards does Centro Mater have received?

All five sites have been honored with the following National Accreditations:

The National Association for the Education of Young Children for the pre-school and the Council of Accreditation (COA) for the After-school programs. Additionally, all Centro Mater sites have received the Florida Gold Seal Quality Care.

Which curriculum will be used to impact my child’s education?

For infants and toddlers, a Creative Curriculum is used, which provides a comprehensive framework that emphasizes relationships between the children their caregivers, teachers and their families.

At the preschool level, the High Scope Educational Curriculum is introduced, which includes content areas for children, and a training model to help adults use the programs of study to support children’s development.

For our After School Care Program, The LitArt, Peace Foundation and SPARK Curriculums promote academic achievement, healthy lifestyles and social skills.

What are Centro Mater’s hours of operation?

Centro Mater sites are open Monday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Centro Mater closes all legal holidays, just like MDCPS but opens during Teacher Planning Days for children with School Readiness scholarships and private paid. For more information contact your nearest location.

Is Centro Mater open during Summer, Winter and Spring Break?

Yes. Centro Mater is open during Summer, Winter and Spring Break. Please contact your nearest location for more information on how to enroll your child. There’s limited availability for new, not currently enrolled children. You are highly encouraged to call a few months before the desired start date.

News

Early Childhood Education Articles

Centro Mater Child Care Center

Children: 6 weeks to 12 years old
Hours of operation: 7:00 am – 6:00 pm
Programs: Infant, toddler, preschool, after-school, summer camp
Program Administrator: Madelyn Rodriguez-Llanes 

418 SW 4th Avenue
Miami, Florida  33130
(305) 545-6049 – Phone
(305) 324-6162 – Fax

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Centro Mater II Child Care Center

Hours of operation: 7:00 am – 6:00 pm
Programs: Infant, toddler, preschool, after-school, summer camp
Program Administrator: Madelyn Rodriguez

421 SW 4th Street
Miami, Florida  33130
(305) 545-6049 – Phone
(305) 324-6162 – Fax

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Centro Mater Walker Park Child Care Center

Children: 3 years to 5 years of age
Hours of Operation: 7:00am – 6:00pm
Programs: Preschool
Project Manager: Soledad Serrano

800 West 29th Street
Hialeah, Florida  33010
(305) 887-1140 – Phone

Centro Mater West Child Care Center

Children: 6 weeks to 12 years old
Hours of operation: 7:00 am – 6:00 pm
Programs: Infant, toddler, preschool, after-school, summer camp

Program Administrator:  Dr. J. Abilio Rodriguez, Executive Director
8298 NW 103 Street
Hialeah Gardens, Florida  33016
(305) 357-4395 – Phone
(305) 357-4674 – Fax

 

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Centro Mater West II Child Care Center

Children: 3 years to 12 years of age
Hours of operation: 7:00 am – 6:00 pm
Programs: Infant, toddler, preschool, after-school, summer camp

Project Manager: Aleida Cao

7700 NW 98th Street
Hialeah Gardens, Florida  33016
(305) 362-9701 – Phone
(305) 324-6162 – Fax

Does Centro Mater care for children with disabilities?

Over 10% of children enrolled at Centro Mater have a disability. Centro Mater works closely with community health providers, Early Intervention Programs and Miami Dade County Public School (MDCPS) to ensure every child meets their educational and developmental needs. For more information on enrolling a child with a disability please contact your nearest location.

In what language will my child be spoken to?

Centro Mater’s teaching staff is bilingual (English and Spanish). All forms, newsletters, menus, and announcements are provided in English and Spanish. Furthermore, all activities and events support and respect the various cultures, languages, ethnicities, and religious beliefs of served families.

Health & Nutrition

Early Childhood Nutrition & Health Programs

The Centro Mater Health Services Program provides a full range of assistance to our children and families. Assistance includes physical examinations, dental services, immunizations, laboratory tests, vision screening, and follow-up plans.

Early Childhood Nutrition

The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) Child Care Food Program requires that a variety of foods be served to the children to help them meet their nutritional needs.

The children are served two meals and one snack daily. Menu selections used at the centers are a reflection of the ethnic mix of the communities we serve. Serving sizes correspond to those recommended by the USDA, which meet two-thirds of the daily nutritional intake for the child. The meals are prepared by experienced cooks, trained by the Registered Dietician. The meals are low in sodium, sugar and fat, and are high in fiber. Only 100% fruit juices are served and children older than 2 years of age receive skim milk.

Disability Services

When a developmental problem is identified or suspected through screening, classroom observation, or a teacher/parent concern, we have a set of procedures in place to ensure that the child is properly screened and/or diagnosed. Then we track and monitor the child’s progress through the Disability Coordinator of Head Start. The Disability Coordinator is a liaison between Head Start and Individuals/Agencies that provide services to children with disabilities, including organizations such as MDCPS, FDLRS, Mailman Center for Child Development, Easter Seals, Hearing and Speech Center of Florida, and Integrated Rehabilitation Center.

Family & Community

Family in Early Childhood Education

Family Involvement & Community

Family involvement in early childhood education is critical to child development. Our Family Partnerships engage in a process of collaborative partnership-building with parents to establish mutual trust and to identify family goals, strengths, and necessary services and other supports. A Family Partnership Agreement is initiated with each family that describes family goals, interests, responsibilities, timetables, and strategies. 

Most of our Family Partnership Agreement services include English as a Second Language, Employment Assistance, Parent Involvement as a Volunteer, GED Diploma study, vocational classes, parental skills classes, and nutrition classes.

Centro Mater & Family Involvement in Early Childhood Education 

Centro Mater has a long history of working with qualified partners in the community to enhance the Head Start experience for our families. Our mission has been to bring the community together by focusing on key issues such as children and families. Not only do we have a process in place that constantly seeks out new potential partners but we work hard to maintain the good working relationships we have with all of our valued community providers.

Parent Involvement

Parents are always kept well informed of all the activities at the center and are encouraged to participate. Parents have the opportunity to work together to plan and develop activities that they have expressed an interest in. These opportunities are provided through several avenues including:

  • Delegate Agency Board
  • Parent Committees
  • Policy Council/Policy Committee
  • Community Advisory Committees
  • Leadership Training
  • Conferences

Application Process

Our application process is designed to acquire the information we need to ensure that only qualified families and children are participating in the program. It also allows us to begin forming relationships with the families. Please contact Centro Mater centers for additional information.

Funding

Due to the funding Centro Mater receives, we are able to offer our children and community good quality services. Centro Mater programs are funded in part by Head Start/Early Head Start Program, The Learning Coalition, School Readiness, VPK, Child Care Food Program, The Children’s Trust, CDBG, United Way, The City of Miami, and Miami-Dade County.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions – Low Income Housing

 

What is Early Childhood Education?

Contact Us

Contact Catholic Health Services – Early Education and Child Care

Mailing Address:
Catholic Health Services
4790 North State Road 7
Lauderdale Lakes, FL. 33319
Phone: 1-877-CHS-4ME2
E-mail: info@catholichealthservices.org

Testimonials

Early Child Care Testimonials


Why is Early Childhood Education Important?

Foundation

Our Foundation

The Centro Mater Foundation is a South Florida based institution that aims to support the efforts of Centro Mater Child Care Services Inc. The foundation helps to provide for early education summer programs, which endeavor to keep at-risk youths focused and progressive during months of reduced stimulation, and supports the maintenance of all centers.

Supporting Early Education

Additionally, the Centro Mater Foundation—along with other agencies— works closely with the child care services organization to implement evidence-based practices; ensure the effectiveness of program implementation and fidelity to activities; connect children and their families to additional services within the community; enhance communication within care systems, and evaluate and examine efforts.

Our Board

The efforts of the Centro Mater Foundation are spearheaded by a dedicated board of directors.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2019

Chairman
Matthew Bruno

Board Members
Maty Aldrich
Javier Alvarez
Ana Carbonell
Margie Costa Suarez – Vice Chair
Claudia de la Cruz
Isabel de Quesada|
Maria Figarola Arazoza – Secretary   
Maria Cristina Lloveras
Lourdes Machado
Brenda M. Moreira
Ana Ortega – Treasurer
Valeria Ortega
Bebi Palenzuela
Sofía Powell-Cosio
Rick Riesgo
Miriam Roman
Javier  Verdeja
Octavio A. Verdeja
Maria E. Wollberg – Vice Treasurer


Advisors
María Eugenia Cosculluela
Lucía Escagedo
Helen Aguirre Ferré
Alina Garrido
Carmina Mestre
Claudia Puig
Laura de Oña
Carmelina Viadero

 

COMMITTEES

Program Committee
Miriam Roman
Ana Carbonell

Finance Committee

Ana Ortega
Maria Elena Wollberg
Margie Suarez
Bebi Palenzuela

By Laws Committee 
Sofia Powell
Maria Arazoza

Nominating Committee
Maria Arazoza

Marketing Committee
Brenda Moreira
Ana Carbonell

For more information please visit www.centromater.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Programs & Services

Early Childhood Education & Care Programs & Services 

Center for Early Education

mail_image_preview-30

Centro Mater’s center for early education creates a safe, nurturing environment that allows children to become problem-solvers, independent explorers, and creative thinkers. 

Our philosophy is designed to give children, at each stage of development, a beginning foundation of success in school and to promote a love of learning while encouraging parents’ self-sufficiency.  

Centro Mater was the first child care services center in Florida to combine a pre-school and before-and-after school programs. We bring our commitment and innovation to education. Centro Mater is one of the few programs that serve families with children from infancy to school age on the same site.

Health & Nutrition

The Centro Mater Health Services Program provides a full range of assistance to our children and families. Assistance includes physical examinations, dental services, immunizations, laboratory tests, vision screening, and follow-up plans.  Disability screening and services are also available.

Family & Community

Family Partnerships are a collaborative process with parents to establish mutual trust and identify family goals, strengths, and necessary services including English as a Second Language, Employment Assistance, Parent Volunteering, GED Diploma study, vocational classes, parental skills classes, and nutrition classes.

Locations

Early Education Centers – South Florida Locations

Find a Center Near You

Centro Mater’s early education center creates a safe, nurturing environment that allow children to become problem-solvers, independent explorers, and creative thinkers. 

Our philosophy is designed to give children, at each stage of development, a beginning foundation of success in school and to promote a love of learning while encouraging parents’ self-sufficiency.  

Centro Mater was the first child care services center in Florida to combine a pre-school and before-and-after school programs. We bring our commitment and innovation to education. Centro Mater is one of the few programs that serve families with children from infancy to school age on the same site.

History & Mission

Early Childhood Education Centers


History & Mission

Centro Mater Child Care Services is a non-profit organization founded in 1968 by Sister Miranda, R.S.C.J. in order to accommodate the educational and developmental needs of the many Cuban children and families who were constantly arriving Miami during that time. By providing a daycare and early childhood education center for these children, Madre Miranda and her all-volunteer staff were able to alleviate one of many hardships faced by the newly arrived refugees.

Since 1976 Centro Mater has continued to grow and expand its services to a larger and more diverse community that includes US citizens as well as immigrants from Cuba, Nicaragua, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Honduras and El Salvador, among others. In 1980 Centro Mater began serving pre-school children through the Head Start Program, and in 1986 opened the first two infant/toddler classrooms.

In 1996, Centro Mater established Centro Mater West Child Care Center in order to meet the growing needs of the children and families residing in the northern area of the county. In 1998 a third site was opened in Hialeah Gardens. These expansions have allowed us to provide outreach to previously underserved neighborhoods where immigrants, suffering from the numerous ravages of socioeconomic disadvantages are concentrated. Two more sites were open recently Centro Mater Walker Park in 2008 in collaboration with the City of Hialeah and in 2009 Centro Mater East II at Little Havana. The last project started February 2010 and it is Centro Mater West EHS Home Based option using home visiting as a method of service delivery. It is a way to offer support, guidance, information, and child development services directly to families in their homes

Our philosophy is designed to give children, at each stage of development, a beginning foundation of success in school and to promote a love of learning while encouraging parent’s self-sufficiency.

Our Mission:

Centro Mater Child Care Services Inc. extends the educational mission of the Church while providing programs and services that ensure optimal educational opportunities for all children regardless of race, creed or religious affiliation.

 

Early Education Testimonial

“The diverse training opportunities provided through Centro Mater Walker Park helped me gain knowledge fostering my growth as an educator.”

Heather Jannotti, teacher assistant at Centro Mater

Summer Scholarships

A summer of learning can make a difference in a child’s life. A Centro Mater Summer Camp Scholarship can make that happen.

Family & Community

The purpose of Family Partnerships is to engage in a process of collaborative partnership building with parents to establish mutual trust and to identify family goals, strengths, and necessary services and other supports.

Health & Nutrition

The Centro Mater Health Services Program provides a full range of assistance to our children and families. Assistance includes: physical examinations, dental services, immunizations, laboratory tests, vision screening, and follow-up plans.

Early Education & Child Care

Excellence in Education for Children

 

Innovative child care for every age and stage

Centro Mater child care centers create a safe, nurturing environment for your children, encouraging them to become confident problem-solvers, independent explorers and creative thinkers. Our philosophy for early childhood education and care is designed to give every child, at each stage of development, a beginning foundation of success in school and to promote a love of learning.

Centro Mater was the first to offer child care center services in Florida that combined pre-school and before-and-after school programs. All five of our centers have earned national accreditations.

Find out more about each Miami child care center location.

See which location is closest to you:
Use our interactive map.

 

Funding Sources

Centro Mater Childcare Services, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3, nonprofit organization which receives funds from: 

 

Child health & nutritional services

We offer a full range of child care assistance for South Florida families.

Healthy nutrition

The meals we serve support USDA guidelines and reflect the vibrant ethnic and culinary diversity of the communities we serve. They’re prepared by experienced, dietitian-trained cooks to balance good health with great taste!

Child health services

These include: physical examinations, dental services, immunizations, laboratory tests, vision screening and follow-up plans. See our child health & nutrition programs

Family & Community

Find out more about our available services that include: English as a Second Language, Employment Assistance, Parental Involvement as a Volunteer, GED Diploma study, vocational classes, parental skills classes, and nutrition classes. Explore Family & Community Services

What Parents and Students Say About Centro Mater

 

Centro Mater shaped Ray Blanco’s own childhood and is now guiding a second generation of Blancos to success.

 

Centro Mater West made such a big impact on that she returned a decade later to volunteer. Hear what made her experience here so inspiring.

 

National Read Across America Day at Centro Mater Child Care Services, Inc

Centro Mater recently celebrated National Read Across America Day with representatives of the Kiwanis of Little Havana’s Crowns of Love initiative. On the morning of March 3, the Miss Carnival Miami 2014 Queen, along with three members of the 2014 Miss Carnival court, visited the organization’s main center in Little Havana to lead reading groups with preschool students.

Throughout the celebration of literacy, the guest readers—donning their crowns and sashes—shared their favorite Dr. Seuss books with Centro Mater students and posed for pictures. Read Across America is a reading initiative developed by the National Education Association. It’s annual, day-long celebration also serves to observe Dr. Seuss’ birthday. The goal of the Crowns of Love initiative is to support literacy and empower children in the Little Havana community.

International Mud Day at Centro Mater Child Care Services

On Friday June 28, 2013 Centro Mater Child Care celebrated International Mud Day. We took a moment to pay tribute to this ooey gooey substance and celebrate nature, outdoors, and mess by getting really muddy. Mud play offers unique tactile, sensory experiences that are vital to a child’s developing brain. 

mud

Peacock Foundation Funds Centro Mater Summer Programs

MIAMI, FL (June 5th, 2013) — Centro Mater Child Care Services, Inc., a nonprofit organization with five facilities in Miami-Dade County that provides care and education for economically disadvantaged youths, announced it has received $30,000 from Peacock Foundation, Inc., a Miami-based institution that strives to enhance and promote the good health and well being of children, families and the underprivileged. The generous donation will be used toward partial scholarships for 75 preschoolers to attend Centro Mater’s Wellness Summer Camp.

An extension of the organization’s ongoing initiative that encourages healthy lifestyles among children and their families, Centro Mater’s Wellness Camp will be offered at two of its sites, Centro Mater Child Care Center in Little Havana and Centro Mater West II in Hialeah Gardens. The 10-week summer camp—offered June 10 through August 16—will feature a strong emphasis on nutrition and physical fitness. In addition to servicing young minds through literacy, science and art programs, the camp will offer special, wellness-based activities including gardening, healthy cooking classes and daily physical fitness—based on curriculum developed by SPARK, a research-based, public organization that creates and helps to realize kid-focused wellness programs.

“We are extremely appreciative of Peacock Foundation, Inc.’s gracious support,” said Executive Director of Centro Mater, Dr. J. Abilio Rodriguez. “For many disadvantaged youths, summer is a time of reduced stimulation and lack of guidance. But with the help of this donation, many of such children will now have the opportunity to be engaged both mentally and physically—actions that will positively influence their health and future.”

Celebrating its 45th anniversary, Centro Mater Child Care Services, Inc. strives to aid economically disadvantaged families—nearly 1,200 annually—through quality child care and education. With a goal to help youths prosper and their parents and/or guardians become financially independent, Centro Mater caters to children 6 weeks to 12 years of age, and their families, through early child care, pre-school education, after school care, nutrition and development assistance, parent-focused instruction, and summer programs. The organization operates five centers in Miami-Dade County (Miami, Hialeah and Hialeah Gardens), all of which have received accreditations by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Peacock Foundation, Inc. aims to advance the good health and well being of children, families and underprivileged individuals in Southeast Florida through support of eligible nonprofit organizations. Since it was founded by Henry B. Peacock in 1947, the foundation has invested more than $34 million in charitable efforts.

To learn more about Centro Mater Child Care Services, Inc. visit CentroMater.org or call 305-545-6049, and for more information on Peacock Foundation, Inc., call 305-373-1386 or visit peacockfondationinc.org.

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About Centro Mater Child Care Services, Inc.
Centro Mater Child Care Services Inc. is a 45-year-old, 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization that strives to aid economically disadvantaged families by providing child care and education services. Centro Mater was founded in 1968 by Mother Margarita Miranda Otero, who recognized a desperate need for child care services among newly exiled Cuban families in Miami. The organization’s unwavering mission is, “to provide quality services to disadvantaged children by offering developmentally appropriate experiences conducive to enhancing the child’s potential while empowering and strengthening the families.” With five accredited centers in Miami-Dade County, Centro Mater caters to children 6 weeks to 12 years of age in its efforts to help youths prosper and their parents and/or guardians become financially independent. Centro Mater serves nearly 1,200 children and families annually. Since 2007, Centro Mater Child Care Services has been managed and greatly supported by Catholic Health Services (CHS) within the Archdiocese of Miami. The organization also receives substantial assistance from the Centro Mater Foundation. For additional information, visit www.CentroMater.com.

 

Media Contacts: Kreps DeMaria Public Relations & Marketing Cristina Planas, cplanas@krepspr.com Danielle Alvarez, dalvarez@krepspr.com 305.663.3543