Our Programs

The Children’s Center values our community of children, teachers, and families. We recognize and honor our important partnership in each other’s lives, working together to build a strong community and foundation in the children’s lives as well as our own professional lives. We emphasize the development and language of friendships—helping each other, talking things out, focusing on compassion. We believe that such an environment creates a sense of security for children, which allows them to develop more fully, and in partnership with the whole family.

Toddler

Our Toddler program offers a calm, home-like nurturing environment that allows our youngest learners to gain confidence with daily routines, make meaningful professional relationships with caregivers outside the home, and build connections with peers in a group setting. The toddler program operates at a 1:3 ratio, with a maximum group size of 9 students. The toddler space consists of a designated nature play space, an enclosed deck, as well as a suite of three rooms, providing ample space for a wide variety of play opportunities!

preschool

Our preschool program offers a dynamic creative learning and play environment where children participate in developmentally appropriate activities driven by their own interests and curiosities. Our preschool program is mixed age, allowing students from 2.9 yrs through entering Kindergarten age to collaborate and support each other in a family-like setting focused on community and fostering social emotional skills. TCC preschoolers spend 50-70% of their day outside, in all kinds of weather. They also enjoy daily small group activities focused on skill building, growth and exploration. Our preschool program operates at a 1:6 ratio during small groups, with a maximum group size of 20 children and a minimum 3 teachers. The Preschool space consists of a well appointed outdoor space with traditional gross motor elements such as climbing structures and a swing set, as well as meeting areas, a mud kitchen with running water, sand play area, dramatic play areas, and quiet play areas. Indoors they have a suite of four rooms on the second floor our unique home, with designated areas for dramatic play, building, art and more!

Curriculum

The Children’s Center engages in play-based curriculum, where our practices are drawn from Contemporary child development research and draw inspiration from Montessori, Waldorf, and Reggio-Emilia Inspired Pedagogy. Curriculum and instructional strategies are determined by the individual and collective interests and learning styles of the children. Activities are designed to encourage and promote successful relationships, establish joy in learning and discovery, and build life-long foundational skills such as inquiry, problem solving, organization, resiliency, independence and creativity. The experiences in the program are integrated across all learning domains. For example, a child who is building a parking garage with blocks might also be using writing or drawing skills to make a sign for the elevator or using problem solving to create a ramp for the cars. English Language Arts and S.T.E.A.M are integrated into the daily activities for all of our children.

Social emotional development

We believe children’s social skills and cultural awareness thrive when in an environment that reflects diversity. Developing a respect and appreciation for the similarities and differences among people is part of the daily life of the children. The center actively welcomes families, teachers, college interns, and volunteers from a variety of cultural, economic, ethnic backgrounds, and Identities. Because of the variety of teaching and learning styles provided here, children also develop an appreciation for the individuality and shared aspects of personal expression. Our teachers work in teams to support and focus on cooperation, sharing, and appreciation of others. We use mixed-age groups so that children can benefit from learning from each other and develop at their own individual pace.

Nature program

TCC’s extensive outdoor space allows children to explore and appreciate our natural world. Children have the opportunity to experience the four distinct New England seasons. Enjoying and participating in water play in the summer, leaf exploration in the fall, as well as snow play in the winter, and gardening/harvesting vegetables and herbs in the spring and summer. The nature program is incorporated into our daily activities. Children spend the majority of their time outside in all kinds of weather, throughout the year!

Location

Most of all, we appreciate the warmth and homelike atmosphere of our corner of Cypress and Gorham Street where children are nurtured and guided in the strength of who they are and in the joys and opportunities to explore and appreciate each other and their world.