Our Mission

The mission of C.A.S.T.L.E. (Children’s After School Transitional Learning Environment) is to enrich the after school and vacation hours of the children in the Sebastopol Union School District through quality child care activities, classes and opportunities for learning and socialization.

Our goal is to provide a safe and nurturing environment in which positive activities & relationships foster the social-emotional, cognitive and physical development of each child.

Our Philosphy

At CASTLE Child Care we believe:

That positive relationships built through thoughtful interactions (between staff and children) are the key to a quality child care program. Staff are genuinely caring, respectful, and sensitive.

The first step in managing behavior is to build relationships. Children learn our expectations through clear limits and understandable rules which are enforced in a positive way by focusing on the behavior, not the child.

Children are individuals, with individual needs, experiences, personalities, temperaments, and abilities. Individual children need individualized approaches. With this in mind we adapt the environment, interactions and activities for each child.

CASTLE is child-centered and developmentally appropriate. We use children’s individual interests and abilities to plan a variety of engaging, novel, challenging and relevant activities/experiences.

We provide the opportunity for children to be children, with an unhurried and relaxed atmosphere. Play is important.

CASTLE is a social setting. Children develop socially while learning the skills needed to get along with others. We foster community-building annd actively model and teach positive social skills. Children are constantly reminded that CASTLE is an emotionally safe “haven” where kindness and friendship are expected.

Whenever possible, we create a “yes” environment where children can develop their creativity, learn at their own pace and make their own choices. The role of the adult in child care is to facilitate, rather than direct.

We recognize, accept, and support the family as the primary caregiver and value their input and ideas. We consider ourselves part of the extended family and are honored to help raise your child.

Our budget supports the goals of the program.