Early Childhood
- Contact Us
- About
- Mission
- Community Partnerships for Children
- Parent-Child Home Program
- Quality Full-Day Kindergarten
- Afterschool Programs
- Preschool
- Medford Early Education Program (MEEP)
- Resource Listings
- Parent Involvement
Please call the Medford Public Schools Early Childhood Office at (781)393-2102. You may also email us at earlychildhood@medford.k12.ma.us if you wish.
We welcome your comments, critiques, compliments, and any questions you might have.
The Medford Public Schools
Early Childhood Office
489 Winthrop Street
Medford, MA, 02155
Early Childhood Director: Shelley Gross
What is the Medford Public Schools Early Childhood Office?
The Medford Public Schools, Early Childhood Office, located at Medford High School, operates several early childhood programs funded by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the Massachusetts Children’s Trust Fund. These programs include the Community Partnerships for Children, Medford Family Network, the Parent-Child Home Program and the Quality Full-Day Kindergarten Grant Program. These programs operate under the auspices of the Medford Family Resource Coalition (MFRC) Council, a governing body comprised of providers, parents, public school personnel and community members. The Early Childhood Office is also responsible for the Brooks,Columbus, McGlynn and Roberts afterschool programs.
The mission of the Medford Family Resource Coalition (MFRC) Council is to create a partnership that brings together families, social service agencies, the public school system, medical providers, early education and care providers, an institution of higher learning, faith based organizations, businesses and city agencies to plan, develop, and oversee the implementation of comprehensive and high quality services to children, youth and families in the city of Medford.
Community Partnerships for Children
-Funded by the Department of Early Education and Care
Medford Community Partnerships for Children Program
The purpose of the Community Partnerships for Children (CPC) program is to support children’s school readiness by planning for and coordinating a broad range of services at the community level for children and families. The Local Planning and Coordination grant is intended to ensure equitable access to the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) financial assistance information on high quality early education and care options for families; facilitate access to resources for providers to increase program quality (including professional development); facilitate access to comprehensive services for children; and coordinate (along with the Medford Family Network) family support and education activities. Local planning and coordination grants support community collaboration maximizing resources for children and families at the local level.
The CPC program through its Direct Service grant helps fund a preschool program at the McGlynn Elementary School. This preschool program operates according to the school district calendar and operates from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 P.M. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 P.M. on Wednesdays. This preschool program provides an opportunity for four-year-old children to participate in a high quality early education and care program that promotes their healthy development and school success in an inclusive learning environment. The McGlynn Preschool is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
For more information please contact Shelley Gross, Early Childhood Director, at 781-393-2211.
The Parent-Child Home Program (PCHP) is an internationally recognized, proven, innovative home-based literacy, parenting and school readiness program that strengthens families and prepares children to succeed academically.
Overview of the Parent-Child Home Program
The parent and child enroll when the child is approximately two years of age, an important time for early language development. The family continues in the program for two years. Trained Home Visitors come to a home for a half hour visit twice a week. Carefully selected toys, books and games are used to model how parents can be effective teachers. The emphasis is on verbal interaction.
The PCHP is a free program for families that meet certain eligibility guidelines.
Highlights of Medford’s Parent-Child Home Program
* Promotes every child’s language develpment
* Involves parents with their child’s early education
* Builds positive self-image for parent and child
How can you become involved?
For additional information or to make a referral please contact the coordinator, Donna Foti Scovell, at 781-393-2122.
The Quality Full-Day Kindergarten Grant program is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The grant assists in enhancing the educational experience of children enrolled in full-day kindergarten classrooms by improving the quality of curriculum and the continuity of curriculum across preschool, kindergarten and grade one.
Overview of the Quality Full-day Kindergarten Grant
Priorities of the program are:
1. To enhance the quality of inclusive full-day kindergarten classrooms to meet the needs of all children, including children with disabilities. and those from diverse cultural, economic, and linguistic backgrounds.
2. To continue the work of the School Readiness Early Childhood Curriculum Committee.
How can you become involved?
If you are interested in becoming a member of the School Readiness Early Childhood Curriculum Committee, please contact Shelley Gross, Early Childhood Director, at sgross@medford.k12.ma.us or 781-393-2211.
Medford Public Schools Afterschool Programs
Beginning September 2009 the Medford Public Schools will offer four afterschool programs at each of the four elementary school sites: Brooks Elementary School, Columbus Elementary School, McGlynn Elementary School and the Roberts Elementary School. These quality afterschool programs are for children in grades kindergarten through grade five.
The Medford Public Schools Afterschool Program is a tuition-supported program under the auspices of the Medford Public Schools and the Medford School Committee policies. The program strives to contribute to the social emotional, physical and intellectual growth of children in a safe supportive learning environment. We offer snacks, playground/gym time, homework time, art, karate, drama, science and other activities based on the interests of the children.
The program opens when the elementary school closes for the day and closes promptly at 6:00 P.M. The program operates Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 2:30 to 6:00 P.M. and on Wednesday from 1:30 to 6:00 P.M. The program opens at 12 noon the day before Thanksgiving, the day before the winter recess and the last day of school.
The afterschool programs are in session when the Medford Public Schools are in session. We are closed for snow days, holidays, school vacation weeks and the summer.
Tuition rates are listed below. The Medford Public Schools accepts vouchers from the Child Care Circuit.
Afterschool Monthly Tuition- effective September 2009
2 days per week- $160.00 3 days per week- $239.00
4 days per week- $289.00 5 days per week- $335.00
Click here to access the 2009-2010 Pre-registration Form
Please contact Cheryl Alpers or Shelley Gross, Director, at 781-393-2102 if you would like further information regarding the Medford Public School afterschool programs.
Assistant Teacher Needed 2009-2010 School Year
The Medford Public Schools Afterschool Program is expanding. Assistant teachers needed at program sites at various elementary school locations. Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 2:30 to 5:00/6:00 P.M. and Wednesday from 1:30 to 5:00/6:00 P.M. Experience with children Kindergarten through Grade 5. Please e-mail cover letter and resume to: sgross@medford.k12.ma.us.
Preschool Screening
MPS offers monthly screenings for preschool children ages 3 to 5. If you have concerns about your child’s development and want to make an appointment to have your child screened, please contact Suzanne MacEachern @ 781-393-2381.
McGlynn Preschool
Information flyer
Application
Roberts Preschool
Application
Make Way for Kids Preschool
489 Winthrop Street
Medford, MA 02155
781-393-2210
Make Way for Kids Preschool is a truly unique experience. Along with two DEO licensed and EEC certified teachers, the preschool is also a learning lab for vocational and high school students. The students are involved with assisting the preschoolers as well as developing and executing age appropriate, theme-based curriculum that is always supervised and approved by the teachers. The preschoolers enjoy playing with a team leader (vocational and high school students) as well as making friends with other preschoolers. Our preschool time is filled with various activities such as free choice center time, organized circle time, arts & craft activity, snack time and gross motor skill activities.
Mission Statement
The mission of Make Way for Kids Preschool is to provide a high quality preschool environment involving high school students and parents. We strongly believe in a warm, loving and comfortable safe environment where children can learn through play. Our goal is to develop their skills, friendships and work towards building on their self-confidence and independence.
Philosophy
Childcare is a growing profession today. A preschool teacher is a special person in a child’s life as they master skills, develop friendships, grow in independence and move to new levels of thinking and understanding their world.
Instruction is geared toward nurturing a child’s physical, social, emotional and intellectual growth in a child development framework. Course work is practiced in our preschool Make Way for Kids. Competent caregivers must demonstrate personal qualities of flexibility, positive style or communicating with your children, a sincere love of children and a very positive attitude.
Make Way for Kids Preschool offers two sessions. Our morning session is for four year olds. It is offered three days a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 a.m.to 11:30 a.m. Our afternoon session is for three year olds. It is offered two days a week on Tuesday and Thursday from 12:25 p.m.to 2:20 p.m.
Please contact Michele or Kristin at 781-393-2210 to make an appointment to experience the Make Way for Kids Preschool.
Medford Early Education Program
Located at Medford High School, the Medford Public Schools Early Education Program (MEEP) recognizes that the primary goal of early childhood education is to promote independence, self-confidence, self-esteem, and an enthusiasm for learning. These qualities are essential to future educational success.
MEEP is designed to provide children with a safe, secure and nurturing environment in which children can learn about themselves, each other,, and the world around them. The curriculum utilizes a developmental approach based on well-established principles of development. It addresses the whole child in areas including the development of cognition, communication, language, social interaction, play skills, motor abilities, and self-help skills. Children are encouraged and taught to make choices among a range of activities, especially those that are based on their own interests and experiences.
The daily schedule is intended to balance indoor and outdoor periods, active and quiet times, and small group, individual, and whole group activities. The curriculum offers children opportunities for experience with paint, clay, water, sand, blocks, puzzles, a wide variety of manipulative, music, movement, books, dramatic play, and cooking to name a few.
A major component of the preschool program is to help children develop positive self-esteem and an enjoyment of learning. Much emphasis is placed on the child’s capacity to develop and enjoy friendships, to begin to learn to resolve conflicts, and to learn respect for the feeling, ideas, and differences of others. The program values each child’s unique abilities and facilitates development at a pace and level consistent with each child’s ability.
MEEP is an integrated preschool setting that serves children who are ages 3 and 4 and not yet eligible for kindergarten. There are up to 15 children in each class. Eight children are developing typically and 7 have been identified with special needs. Each class has a teacher, at least 2 other staff members, and therapists. Some classrooms also have high school interns.
Program Options
3 days 11:50 a.m. to 2:05 p.m. @ Medford High School (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday)
4 days 11:50 a.m. to 2:05 a.m. @ Medford High School (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday)
5 days 9:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. @ Medford High School (Monday through Friday)
MEEP has several 5 morning and 4 afternoon spots still available for School Year 2009-2010. The program is designed for children who are ages 3 and 4 and not yet eligible for Kindergarten. Before you fill out an application, you must register your child at the Parent Information Center at Medford High School. You may obtain an application form when you register or you can download the application form, fill out, and send to Debby Finn at the above address. If you choose to download the form, you must still register your child at the Parent Information Center before we can accept your child. For more information about MEEP, email Suzanne MacEachern smaceachern@medford.k12.ma.us.
Early Education and Care Programs: We have created a flyer that provides listings of early education and care programs in Medford. If you are interested in receiving a free copy, please click here to download a copy or e-mail us your request at earlychildhood@medford.k12.ma.us, or call the Early Childhood Office at, 781-393-2102. The flyer includes information about early education and care programs (center based and family child care).
Mental Health Guide: We have created a mental health resource guide to support the social emotional wellbeing of Medford families. If you are interested in receiving a free copy, please click here to download a copy or email us your request at earlychildhood@medford.k12.ma.us, or call the Early Childhood Ofice at 781-393-2102.
The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (http://www.eec.state.ma.us/) also provides a listing of all licensed child care and after-school programs in Massachusetts.
We are eager to have the resources and participation of parents and community representatives in all our programs, including serving on the MFRC Council. Please refer to the grant program that interests you and read about specific avenues for involvement.