Welcome to Friends Child Care Center
Founded in 1978 by the American Friends Service Committee, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, and Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, Friends Child Care Center (FCCC) began within the historic Friends Center.
In response to growing demand for high-quality early childhood education in Center City, FCCC expanded in 1980 to welcome families beyond the Friends Center community.
Today, we proudly serve 125 children, fostering a learning environment that reflects the cultural and economic diversity of our urban neighborhood. At FCCC, we nurture children to grow as curious, caring, and responsible individuals.
Friends Child Care Center partners with the Mayor's Office of Philadelphia and offers PHLpreK preschool programming. There is no income or employment requirement. For more information, contact Assistant Director Joann Schock at joann.schock@friendschildcare.org or call 215-241-7011.
Quakerism Made Simple
The Quaker SPICES are a set of core values derived from Quaker principles. Each letter in SPICES stands for a testimony or guiding value that shapes both personal behavior and community life. These values are highly relevant and beneficial in a child care setting, promoting a nurturing and ethically grounded environment.
S – Simplicity
Summary: Focus on what truly matters; minimize distraction and excess.
Value in Child Care: Encourages environments that are calm, uncluttered, and intentional—supporting children's focus, creativity, and emotional well-being.
P – Peace
Summary: Commit to nonviolence, conflict resolution, and fostering harmony.
Value in Child Care: Teaches children how to navigate conflict calmly, use peaceful language, and develop empathy and compassion in their relationships.
I – Integrity
Summary: Be honest, fair, and consistent in actions and words.
Value in Child Care: Builds trust between children, teachers, and families; helps children learn the importance of truthfulness, accountability, and doing the right thing—even when it's hard.
C – Community
Summary: Value each person and nurture inclusive, supportive relationships.
Value in Child Care: Encourages teamwork, shared responsibility, and a sense of belonging. Children learn to care for one another and contribute positively to their group.
E – Equality
Summary: Recognize and respect the inherent worth of every person.
Value in Child Care: Promotes fairness, inclusivity, and respect for differences—creating an environment where every child feels seen, valued, and heard.
S – Stewardship
Summary: Care for the Earth and all resources responsibly.
Value in Child Care: Teaches children to take care of their environment, use materials mindfully, and understand their role in protecting the natural world.
In Summary:
Incorporating the SPICES values into child care supports the development of whole, empathetic, and socially conscious individuals. These principles align beautifully with early childhood education goals—fostering emotional intelligence, ethical behavior, and a strong sense of community.
Infants/Young Toddlers
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Mixed age groupings from 3 months to Young Walker
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1:3 staff; child ratio
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On Demand Scheduling for eating, sleeping and programming
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Highly trained & experienced teachers
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Provided daily enrichment activities (tummy time, music, storytime, outdoor activities, sensory motor experiences)
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Daily outdoor play
Older Toddlers
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Mixed Age Groupings 24 months to 3 years
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Play-based environments and enrichment activities
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Self Help Skill Development (Potty training, dressing, independence)
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Social Skills & Self Awareness Development
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Weekly music & dance classes
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Daily outdoor play
Preschoolers
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Weekly dance & music classes
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Excursions to area theaters & museums
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Daily curriculum activities to address key predictive school readiness:
Our Core Focus
FCCC provides an enriching environment of love, security, and community to children between the ages of 3 months and Kindergarten.
Through age appropriate experiences, its children learn respect for others, self-confidence and social skills.
They develop curiosity about the world and learn to appreciate people who are different from them. The children grow emotionally, physically, socially and cognitively.
They build a foundation of competence and confidence that prepares them for everyday situations and, ultimately, for school.
Programs at Friends Child Care Center are based on active learning - providing developmentally appropriate activities that facilitate and enhance social, emotional, cognitive and physical development. Children learn through play and exploration.
We believe that every child has an innate ability to thrive developmentally under the guidance of caring, well-trained adults, and in environments designed to foster children's natural curiosity to figure things out for themselves, ask questions and make discoveries about the world and what interests them.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Kathleen K
‘FCCC provides a warm and nurturing environment for children to learn and grow. My daughter is so happy with all the activities and fun trips that are planned every day. It is so nice to see the smile on her face when I pick her up at the end of a busy day!’
Kristin S
I would recommend FCCC to anyone! From day one, I have felt comfortable leaving my 3 month old in their very capable and loving hands. It is a testament to the environment at FCCC that so many teachers have been there for so long. My son loves coming to school every day.’
Sarah K
FCCC has given us such a gift by providing such a loving and nurturing environment where our son has absolutely flourished. We could not be happier with our time there – our son literally ran in the front door his 1st day and every day since!’
