In 1979, a group of parents with infants and young children looked at child care centers in the Sacramento area and found none to their liking.

They decided to start something new – a cooperative concerned not with making a profit or homogenizing their children, but instead a loving place that put the health and happiness of the children first. They named it Forever Young after a song by Bob Dylan.

More than thirty years later, Forever Young is still going and still adhering to the core principals upon which it was founded:

• A Co-operative

  • Policy decisions and overall management responsibility for Forever Young rest with the parent-elected Board of Directors.

  • The Board is made up of parents themselves.

  • Parents and staff are involved in the day-to-day operations of Forever Young.

• Staff and families are friends!

• The staff train in the teachings of Magda Gerber in developmentally oriented childcare practices.

  • Tolerance, non-violent, non-sexist behavior in the children’s interaction with each other.

  • An alternative education environment that emphasizes respect for others and their differences, respect for the natural world, and love of one’s self and one’s neighbor.

  • A vegetarian diet to encourage healthy eating and minimize the intake of food additives and chemicals.

Forever Young still retains these commitments with a child care center that lovingly encourages and nourishes the growth of the whole child.

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Children need something more than a teacher or educator. They need an adult who will educate, care and nurture them.

Magda Gerber called the person who performs this role an “edu-carer.” Her philosophy of Resources for Infant “Edu-carers” (RIE) is the basis upon which Forever Young was built 30 years ago.

Using RIE principles, Forever Young seeks to create a balance between adult stimulation and independent exploration in a safe environment.

Forever Young has developed the following curriculum:

• Provide an environment that allows children to make choices.

• Assure that children have a stable relationship with their edu-carer.

• Allow children to develop motor and sensory skills without direct teaching.

• Provide a safe, cognitively challenging and emotionally nurturing environment in which children can move freely and explore the world.

• Children are allowed uninterrupted play periods that foster creative interaction.

• Adults are there to observe during these play times, but they do not attempt to direct the children’s activities.

• Forever Young’s daily activities for our children provide an opportunity to learn through play and hands-on experience.

• Activities offered are connected to monthly themes.

• Forever Young’s philosophy respects each child and his or her developmental level.

• Healthy, happy and confident children are successful children.

We believe children are doing more than just playing. They are learning cooperation and positive social interaction – skills that will serve them well throughout their lives.