"Many are the times
We will teach;
Many are the times
We will be taught.
But only once, a child."

WELCOME

Congratulations!  You have chosen the early childhood program that is accredited nationwide as a High-quality program. On behalf of our staff, welcome to Happy Child Preschool.

License Capacity: 78 children (10 infants, 18 toddlers, and 50 preschoolers)

Infants: 1 month - 15 months
Ratio: 7 children to 2 teachers

Toddlers: 16 months - 2 yrs, 9 months
Ratio: 9 children to 2 teachers

Preschool: 2 years, 9 months - 4 years
Ratio: 7 children to 1 teacher

Pre-Kindergarten: 4 years - 7 years
Ratio: 7 children to 1 teacher

Directions: Rt.128 to exit 20A (Rt. 9E). Take immediate exit to Chestnut St. Take right at the second STOP sign onto Chestnut St. and drive through one set of lights. We will be on your right.

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Thank you for your interest in our school. We recommend that you visit the school to observe our classes in session and get a real picture of our school. We are open to visitors daily; however, we limit the number of persons who visit on any one day.

If you consider registering your child at Happy Child, we ask that you follow these guidelines:

• Make a preliminary visit. Talk to the director and teachers, take a tour, and receive an informational Parent Handbook to take home.
• Make a second visit, bring your child with you. Plan to stay longer in order to observe classroom routines and activities, and teacher-child interactions.
• Discuss with the director an enrollment plan for your child. Each parent and child can spend as much time as necessary in the classroom for the child to feel comfortable.

For further information contact the Director of Happy Child Preschool/Daycare Center at (617) 964-8231.

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It is important for your child to grow in a nurturing environment. It is also important for you to have peace of mind about your child’s well being. Happy Child is your child's "home away from home" which makes us an important part of your family. For this philosophy to succeed we need and encourage two-way communication between parents and the school. Parents and teachers work as a team sharing information to assist the child's development and to respond to the changing family circumstances. Teachers will make every effort to keep parents up-to-date on their child's progress through formal conferences and informal chats. Parents are asked to keep teachers informed of all changes affecting a child so we can best meet the child's needs.

Happy Child provides many opportunities during the year for social communication between staff and parents including Back to School Night, Graduation Party with a cookout, Potluck Dinner, and an Art Gallery Night.

Happy Child permits and encourages parents to visit the classroom at any time and we welcome a voluntary participation in activities. Parent input on a variety of subjects is welcome at any convenient time. Grandparents and other relatives are welcome as well.

Regardless of differences in language, cultures and customs, we respect and celebrate diversity. We invite parents of all backgrounds into our classrooms.

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Happy Child’s program is founded on the importance of putting children first. Our goal is to allow children to be children while helping them to become successful social beings. We strive to meet emotional, physical and intellectual needs of children through play and social interactions. Whenever possible, we adapt our environment to meet a child's individual needs.

Our discipline philosophy revolves around problem solving. By using problem solving, we are teaching children how to resolve conflicts, learn self-discipline, and show respect for others and develop positive relationships Teachers facilitate problem solving through the following steps:

• Active listening - interpreting and reflecting a child's feelings in order to help the child to find a solution;
• Negotiation - talking out and resolving conflicts nonviolently;
• Setting limits - teaching a child to stay within safe boundaries and to learn self-control. Limits are based on safety, responsibility and respect.

We are always happy to discuss our philosophy and the individual needs of your child with you. We avoid talking about children when they are present, but feel free to make an appointment.

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The most commonly asked question is: Do you teach ABC’s and 123’s? Here is how we answer the question.

As you know, your children are open and full of wonder. They are curious about the world and anxious to learn. It is important to provide an environment where children can feel confident about themselves. Our program provides a curriculum for all areas of children’s growth - physical, emotional, social, linguistic, aesthetic and cognitive.

We focus on what is familiar to children and on creative play through which children learn social roles, cooperation and problem solving. Children learn through experimenting, observing, wondering, exploring, and questioning. The goal of our curriculum is to provide children with the skills that will help them to learn and to love learning.

We promote children’s inner drive and excitement about learning as they use and apply knowledge, process and skills. Our curriculum is teacher created and child initiated.

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• Happy Child is a year round school
• Hours of operation: 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Children can be enrolled in 2-5 full day program
• Happy Child provides hot breakfast, hot lunch and snacks
• Happy Child provides extra classes such as: music, creative movement, etc.

The monthly rates are as follows: