About Children's Village

8am-6pm | Monday - Friday | Year Round

The Children’s Village (CV) is an independent non-profit, NAEYC accredited childcare center and preschool that provides a warm, secure, and engaging environment for children ages 10 weeks through 5 years. The center is licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care and provides daily breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack. Our goal is to foster a disposition for lifelong learning through the medium of play. The Children’s Village has been in operation since 1972, making it one of the oldest and most reputable childcare centers in the country.

Our play-based program philosophy focuses on free play, which is directed by children themselves. Our educators listen and observe children's free play to use the findings to spark the children's curiosity by intentionally engaging children in meaningful work and conversation. Our program implements strategies that empower teachers to use our beautiful space and materials to ignite learning. Our primary goals are to foster a positive self-concept in each child, to provide experiences that teach children about themselves, others in their world, and to promote natural development through a thoughtful, engaging, hands-on curriculum. We pride ourselves in using the natural environment and our classroom space to give children the opportunities to engage in activities that teach children about positive relationships, self-care, and empathy for the world around us. We recognize that each child we teach is unique, requiring us to use our own judgment, instead of rules, to guide our teaching practice. Our goal is to provide positive learning experiences for each child to help them grow into lifelong learners.

CV is dedicated to establishing an environment in which every child feels safe, loved, and respected. The center honors diversity where all families and children belong. The corporation enrolls students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the corporation’s school. CV does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other programs administered by the corporation.

A Second Home

CV is committed to working closely with parents for the optimum benefit of each child. Parents have peace of mind during their busy work day knowing their children are safe, secure, and happy. We provide this along with a nurturing and child-centered environment. CV is meant to be a community that honors diversity through the use of a multicultural curriculum, parental involvement, and mutual respect.

Parents

Parents are welcome to visit at any time. As early childhood professionals, we provide unconditional support and care to parents as well as children. Staff and parents work cooperatively to secure the optimum benefits for the children. Care of the children involves parents and teachers working as partners; daily communication is important and suggestions are encouraged. There are many opportunities for parental involvement such as field trips, birthday parties, annual picnics, and volunteering time to serve on the CV Board as a director.

Teaching Staff

The staff consists of early childhood professionals who have had many years of early childhood experience, and appreciate and value the uniqueness of each child. Teachers work in teams and are selected on the basis of experience, education, enthusiasm, and dedication. The teaching staff is constantly observing and interacting with children as highly aware facilitators. They provide developmentally appropriate interventions, positive role-modeling, and a consistent, nurturing presence.

We pride ourselves on maintaining a very tenured faculty that fosters professional growth. The majority of our teachers have or are working towards their degrees.

Administration

A voluntary Board of Directors comprised of parents, staff, and outside community members governs CV. These members are elected by the CV Community and are responsible for all policymaking. A Director and an Assistant Director are on hand daily for center management, educational guidance, and to offer support to teachers, parents, and children.

To enroll, simply fill out the enrollment form below, complete it, and send a $50 check for your application fee to: Children’s Village, 15 Bay State Road, Cambridge, MA 02138. Returning this form with a fee does not guarantee a space at Children’s Village; to check availability, please contact us.