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Our Early Childhood program includes Toddler (T), Younger Preschool (YPS), and Transitional Kindergarten (TK) classrooms.

Younger Preschool at a glance:

  • Children range from 36 to 47 months old when school starts in late August
  • One classroom: Target size of 18-20 students with a 1:5 teacher:child ratio that exceeds childcare licensing requirements
  • Two pick-up options: 8:30 am-3:00 pm or 8:30 am–5:30 pm 
  • Highly-qualified head teachers and dedicated support teachers
  • Social Emotional practices supporting a sense of belonging and emotional safety for all children
  • An embedded social justice component focused on the budding development of a sense of agency and an Antiracist stance. 
  • Beautiful, developmentally-appropriate classroom and outdoor play space, plus access to nature across the Mills College at Northeastern University campus

For two- to three-year-olds, our Younger Preschool (YPS) program progresses into a group care model, where teachers set up a range of activities, both inside the classroom and outdoors, and provide many opportunities for hands-on learning through emergent play-based curriculum inspired by the children’s interests.

Our YPS classroom is staffed by highly qualified teachers. Each head teacher has a dedicated team of teachers to support the children and their learning. Teaching teams meet to reflect on ways to support the children and their learning, as well as to discuss the implementation of theory to practice to ensure quality care. 

Younger Preschool allow for a balance between free-choice play time and more structured project time and group activities consistent and responsive to the children’s experiences and interests. Teachers build in several whole-group gathering times, such as circle time and snack, as well as ample time for child-directed play through art, music, books, storytelling, cooking, science, and nature exploration. All children are supported in resting after lunch, be it as a napper or doing quiet activities.

We believe it is important for two- and three-year-olds to build empathy and develop friendship through play. The YPS curriculum emerges from the children’s interests, and explores salient themes through multiple lenses, such as scientific inquiry, dramatic play, and gross motor development. Projects have included map-making, designing a pretend restaurant and serving real food to children in other classrooms, building treasure boxes for a friend, and a study of farms through a mathematical lens. Each of our Early Childhood programs provide a rich indoor and outdoor environment for children to explore and learn, and frequent excursions throughout the beautiful Mills College at Northeastern University campus affords children the opportunity to be in nature and learn about their surroundings.

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