Since 1975, the Buffalo State Child Care Center has been serving Buffalo State students, faculty and staff members, New York State union members, and the surrounding community. Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children—one of the few centers in the area that can boast this honor—and with a provisional 4 out of 5 star rating from QUALITYStarsNY, the BSCCC offers high quality childcare and education on Buffalo State’s campus, including a healthful, balanced breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack prepared in accordance with federal Child and Adult Care Food Program guidelines.
Whether you’re familiar with BSCCC or learning about it for the first time, here are five key things to know.
Teachers are highly qualified and experienced
Lead teachers at BSCCC are required to have at least an associate’s degree in early childhood education or a related field or a Child Development Associate credential. Most of the BSCCC’s lead teachers hold bachelor’s or master’s degrees and all have several years of experience. In addition, all BSCCC staff members are CPR and First Aid certified, and most full-time staff are also certified in Medication Administration Training (MAT), ensuring they are well-prepared to respond to emergencies and safely administer medication when necessary.
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“We are proud to employ highly educated and experienced educators to teach in our Center,” said Kathy Doody, professor in Exceptional Education Department and BSCCC Board Chair. “As an Early Childhood Education Center, we know it is never too early to learn, and more importantly, to love to learn through play-based curriculum and approach.”
“Area experts agree that Buffalo State Child Care provides the best childcare experience in town,” said Julie Henry, chair of the Elementary Education, Literacy, and Educational Leadership Department. “My four grandchildren travel 40 minutes each day to attend BSCCC, and the loving care, meaningful curriculum and expertise of the teachers and director dazzle me every time I enter the space.”
Through hands-on experiences, children at BSCCC have opportunities to explore, create, investigate, problem-solve, and discover. BSCCC teachers support these experiences while giving children the freedom to follow their curiosity, make choices, and develop confidence in their abilities. Weekly lessons are developed around children’s current topic interests, seasons, and events.
“The Buffalo State Child Care Center was a wonderful place for my daughter's growth and learning,” said Naomi McKay, associate professor in the Psychology Department. “She learned practical skills, like letters and numbers, but also learned how to interact, play, and be creative with the other children and the staff. I have always been beyond thankful for the time and love that they put into the children."
“The teachers have the freedom to design lessons and themes that are meaningful to them and their students,” added Alayla Ende, assistant professor in Elementary Education, Literacy, and Educational Leadership Department. “My daughter is doing an ‘Around the World’ unit, and her teacher brought in guest speakers and chose snacks and art activities from countries that represented each family in the class.”
Executive Director Wendy Falcone holds an associate’s degree in early childhood education and a bachelor’s degree in social work from Buffalo State. She has been at the BSCCC for 15 years, serving as a toddler lead teacher for 13 years and assistant administrator for two years before moving into her current role. In addition to her education and experience, Falcone brings passion to her work.
“My favorite quote that I think about each morning when I walk into every classroom,” Falcone said, “is ‘it takes a big heart to shape a little mind.’”
BSCCC provides valuable hands-on learning opportunities
Through internships, work study, and observation hours, the center consistently hosts university students from a variety of majors and minors focused on education and related fields. Working at the center allows them to learn and apply real-world skills, as well as gain valuable classroom experiences.
While university students are gaining hands-on experience, BSCCC students are benefiting from engaging art, music, literacy, and social-emotional experiences and lessons from future New York State educators, therapists, and specialists in fields relating to early childhood.
“BSCCC collaborates with various departments on campus to provide observation hours and opportunities for students to practice skills they are actively learning in their degrees,” Doody said. “We frequently work with Music Education, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education and Literacy, Art Education, Exceptional Education, Psychology, the E.H. Butler Library, and more. These collaborations provide both center students and Buffalo State students with unique and rich experiences to learn and grow.”
BSCCC offers unique campus experiences
Being located on a university campus has definite perks. BSCCC’s littlest learners experience the sights and sounds of campus life on stroller walks in and around the campus buildings. Toddlers and preschoolers enjoy visiting the hockey rink to watch students practice, taking trips to the Whitworth Ferguson Planetarium, enjoying story time at the E.H. Butler Library, and seeing Benji the Bengal statues.
“Our location and relationship with the campus help us to offer a unique childcare experience,” Doody said. “Each and every day, our center develops the whole child: academically, physically, socially. It is the happiest place on campus.”
“The children have not stopped talking about visiting the planetarium,” added Falcone. “It was a learning experience, and the excitement and giggles throughout were priceless. When parents got to see pictures of the smiles on their children’s faces, they thanked us—they saw a special benefit of sending their children to daycare on a college campus.”
BSCCC helps parents complete their degrees
By providing on-campus childcare, the BSCCC makes it easier for parents to complete degrees at Buffalo State.
“Without the BSCCC, I would not have been able to finish my degree,” said Elizabeth Hartz, lecturer in Buffalo State’s Health, Nutrition and Dietetics Department.
In addition, BSCCC’s business manager, Neve Kaplan, works with and assists Buffalo State students in applying for fully or partially assisted tuition through the SUNY Block Grant.
“As a Buffalo State student and a single mother, the Block Grant provided me the financial support and availability I needed in order to continue my education,” said current student Jamie Burdick. “I could not have asked for a better place for my daughter to attend pre-k. The teachers at BSCCC are unlike any other. We are forever grateful for this opportunity.”
BSCCC maintains strong teacher-to-child ratios
The BSCCC always adheres to teacher-to-child ratios, ensuring every child is safe and well-supervised. Teachers monitor attendance and adjust classroom staffing as needed to stay within ratio requirements throughout the day. With the help of work-study students, the center is also frequently able to operate below the New York state-mandated ratios, creating an even more hands-on environment for educators and students.
This environment allows for individualized attention and a better ability to meet student needs.
“Not only are the teachers patient and kind, but they can see where your child excels or may need more help,” Hartz said. “They act on these things early to make sure your child is as prepared as possible for the world. My child always felt welcomed and every teacher made a lasting impression.”
“The teachers put so much effort into making connections with each child, creating engaging curriculum and activities, and making their space welcoming and developmentally appropriate,” Ende added. “The teachers know what makes each child special and unique and work hard to celebrate that.”
Allysa Wood, assistant teacher in the infant room, said this quote from Carl Buechner sums up how she feels about her work with babies, young children, and families: “They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”
“The Buffalo State Child Care Center is more than a place for children to spend their days,” Doody said. “Our center supports children's growth while providing a wonderful experience and high quality education.”
BSCCC offers both full-time and part-time care, serving the needs of children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Hours of operation are from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The center is open year-round with the exception of the eleven legal holidays observed. BSCCC is a private, not-for-profit organization, dependent primarily upon tuition from parents and special grants from the State University of New York Central. To learn more, please visit the website.
