Philosophy

At You're Invited Children's Center, we believe children learn best when they feel physically and emotionally safe, supported, and free to explore through play. Play is the foundation of our program, guiding how we support each child’s natural curiosity and development.

We provide a secure environment—both indoors and outdoors—where children are cared for by compassionate, attentive educators. Our spaces are thoughtfully designed to ensure physical safety while also supporting children in taking developmentally appropriate risks—an essential part of learning and growth. Emotional well-being is nurtured through strong relationships, consistent routines, and a deep sense of belonging.

Grounded in years of research, education, and experience, our approach supports all areas of development—social, emotional, cognitive, physical, and creative. We intentionally create environments and experiences that reflect each child’s individuality, encourage curiosity, and promote meaningful, lasting learning.

At You're Invited, our priority is to create a warm, responsive community where every child feels safe, valued, and empowered to grow with confidence, joy, and a strong sense of self.

Mission Statement

At You're Invited Children's Center, our mission is to provide a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where all children—especially those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds or families facing hardship—can learn and grow through long periods of uninterrupted play. We believe in the power of play as a foundational tool for early childhood development, fostering creativity, promoting physical health, and encouraging social-emotional learning.

We are deeply committed to supporting children and their families who are navigating challenges by offering a welcoming and inclusive space, we aim to reduce barriers to high-quality care and empower families on their journey toward healing and stability.

Recognizing each child as unique, we tailor our approach to support their individual growth, curiosity, and potential. Through responsive caregiving and intentional play, we strive to inspire every child to explore, question, and discover their world with joy and confidence, setting the foundation for lifelong learning and compassionate living.

Founder and Executive Director

With over 30 years of experience in Early Childhood Education, Jami West is the founder and Executive Director of You're Invited Children’s Center. Since its opening in 2005, Jami has led the center in offering play-based learning for children ages 2 to 5, and expanded the program in 2010 to include care for school-age children.

Jami holds a Master’s degree in Human Development with a specialization in Child Development. In addition to her role at You're Invited, she teaches college-level Early Childhood Education courses. Jami is deeply passionate about the importance of play-based learning, respectful caregiving, and brain development during the early years, and she brings this expertise and commitment to the center’s philosophy and daily practices.