Our Programs

The Early Childhood Center offers year-round, full-day care from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Early Childhood Center enrolls children 2 years 9 months to 6 years old. Parents may select two, three, or five day options to enroll their child. The class size is limited to 19 children. The Early Childhood Center is staffed by highly qualified teachers and center directors who have earned bachelor and master degrees in early childhood, Massachusetts Early Childhood Education Pre-K through Grade 2 With or Without Special Needs teaching licenses, and preschool teacher certification. In addition, University students interested in working with young children and families intern in the Early Childhood Center to gain valuable experience. The students will be supervised by Center staff and faculty supervisors.

Our curriculum emphasizes learning in an environment of active exploration and interactions with peers, adults, and classroom materials. Together, the children, teachers, and University students will work and learn from each other in a community of learners to discover the world and instill the foundation for life-long learning. In addition, we take advantage of our location on a University campus to enrich our curriculum with participation in programs and special events held on campus.

The curriculum is based on developmentally appropriate principles and practices to provide for the physical, emotional, social, language, literacy, and cognitive development of all children through an integrated approach. Play is the primary vehicle for the children’s learning and, thus, the cornerstone of the Early Childhood Center program. The content of the curriculum is theme-based according to the children’s interests and needs as well as on the Massachusetts Guidelines for Preschool Learning Experiences and Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks in English Language Arts, science, mathematics, social science and history, art, and health. Kindergarten readiness is embedded throughout the curriculum.