GCSD’s KidsCare Becomes First School-Based Child Care Program in the State to Implement Social-Emotional Development Model

For the first time, Child Care Council Inc. is collaborating with a school-based child care program in New York to implement the Pyramid Model of social-emotional development.

The Pyramid Model is an evidence-based framework proven effective in building social and emotional competence in early care and education programs by promoting positive behavior and well-being in early childhood.

Greece Central’s KidsCare program began implementing the Pyramid Model last fall in collaboration with Child Care Council. KidsCare Coordinator Kelly Giudice said using the Pyramid Model in child care settings makes sense because it reinforces the behavioral expectations and social-emotional skills children already use in schools. Now, in addition to offering traditional recreational programming, KidsCare staff are working with children to build effective strategies to regulate emotions, develop conflict-resolution skills and strengthen friendships.

“The Pyramid Model has been instrumental in assisting us in the process of developing site-specific goals around our work on explicitly teaching social and emotional competencies to the children we serve,” said Giudice. “We believe that our focus on social and emotional competence will not only assist the children in their academic achievements but will also help them to grow as healthy and happy humans.”

Child Care Council is providing specialized training, technical assistance and ongoing support to KidsCare staff as they implement Pyramid Model strategies into their daily practices. By adopting the model, the district aims to fortify the social-emotional foundational skills of children, laying the groundwork for a successful and fulfilling educational journey.

“KidsCare has fully embraced the Pyramid Model,” said Rose Shufelt, director of Health and Social Emotional Wellness, Child Care Council. “It has been inspirational to work with the KidsCare coordinator and staff and to see their commitment to promoting children’s social and emotional development.”

KidsCare has been providing before- and after-school child care to Greece Central School District students since 2021 and now serves 300 students in grades PreK-5 at seven Greece school sites. KidsCare has always sought to balance children’s daily academic experiences with interest-based recreational programming. To learn more about KidsCare, visit greececsd.org/kidscare or call (585) 966-2456.