Shine Values

"Children are not things to be molded, but are people to be unfolded."

-Jess Lair

Philosophy

Shine is a Nurture Center that provides a healthy space for the nourishment and growth of young children while they are away from their parents. Shine provides holistic, nurturing, nature-based, & child-led care.

At Shine, the role of the teacher or caregiver can be boiled down to 3 central tasks:
1. To Protect
2. To Connect & Respect
3. To Teach

The ordering of these tasks is purposeful and important. We believe that a loving teacher would not be enough if
the environment was dangerous and that teaching cannot happen outside of a loving and respectful relationship.

We are driven by our core values and we are a child-centered program, meaning we think first about the children and their families in every decision we make. Shine is genuinely a place of community. We are dedicated to treating our employees with respect, being a welcoming place for families, and becoming the most environmentally sustainable child care center in Cincinnati. Scroll to learn more about how we implement each of our values.

Core Values

Holistic

Whole Child Care. For us, "holistic" is not just marketing gimmick. We are truly committed to providing a safe space for children to explore, grow, and learn as a whole person. There is more to health than a lack of illness, and true wellness requires nutritious, wholesome food, movement & exercise, fresh air, rest, peace, & communion with nature. Shine is also a space for learning about thoughts, feelings, and communication, as well as social development such as friendship-making, setting boundaries, and conflict resolution.

Nature-based

Respect for Nature. Our facility is nestled into a cove of Mount Airy Forest. The plants, trees, birds, bugs, and other wildlife provide the perfect backdrop for learning about nature. Children spend time each day playing in the large, fenced-in outdoor play spaces, go hiking in the woods in our backyard, and are allowed to get dirty when they play. Because we believe it is important for children to know where food comes from, we garden on-site. We follow nature-based lessons, and our days and calendars align with natural circadian and seasonal rhythms. As much as possible, toys, works, and playground equipment are made from nature-based materials, minimizing plastics, cheap materials that break easily, and non-biodegradable materials. Our goal is to become the most sustainable child care center in Cincinnati.

Nurturing

Nurturing Care. Shine adheres to nurturing, developmentally appropriate care & guidance. We have low ratios so we can provide attachment-based care with close comfort as needed, while also fostering independence and autonomy as the children grow & develop. Low ratios allow us to spend quality time with each child. Like tending a garden, teachers pay close attention to each child - nurturing them, providing an environment that allows them develop at their own pace, removing obstacles, and giving them space in which to grow. Awareness, mindfulness, expression of feelings, empathy for others, boundary setting, and conflict resolution skills are at the core of our program.

Child-led

"Follow the Child." We believe that children are active learners and have an intrinsic motivation to learn. Child-led learning does not mean that children are in charge, rather it means that children get to choose how to spend their time within a prepared and structured environment. Teachers are responsible for creating a stimulating and appropriate classroom environment that allows each child to thrive. Children are allowed to take the lead on what they would like to work on each day, learn at their own pace, and focus on skills that are of interest to them. Teachers are trained to observe the needs and interests of the children, to be patient and allow children to struggle with new tasks, and never force inappropriate academics or curriculum on children.