Our Programs

The Early Childhood Center offers year-round, full-day care from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Early Childhood Center enrolls children 2 years 9 months to 6 years old. Parents may select two, three, four, or five day options to enroll their child. The class size is limited to 19 children. The Early Childhood Center is staffed by highly qualified teachers and center directors who have earned bachelor and master degrees in early childhood, Massachusetts Early Childhood Education Pre-K through Grade 2 With or Without Special Needs teaching licenses, and preschool teacher certification. In addition, University students interested in working with young children and families intern in the Early Childhood Center to gain valuable experience. The students will be supervised by Center staff and faculty supervisors.

Our curriculum emphasizes learning in an environment of active exploration and interactions with peers, adults, and classroom materials. Together, the children, teachers, and University students will work and learn from each other in a community of learners to discover the world and instill the foundation for life-long learning. In addition, we take advantage of our location on a University campus to enrich our curriculum with participation in programs and special events held on campus.

The curriculum is based on developmentally appropriate principles and practices to provide for the physical, emotional, social, language, literacy, and cognitive development of all children through an integrated approach. Play is the primary vehicle for the children’s learning and, thus, the cornerstone of the Early Childhood Center program. The content of the curriculum is theme-based according to the children’s interests and needs as well as on the Massachusetts Guidelines for Preschool Learning Experiences and Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks in English Language Arts, science, mathematics, social science and history, art, and health. Kindergarten readiness is embedded throughout the curriculum.

Our Curriculum

Our curriculum emphasizes learning as an interactive process. The Early Childhood Center’s environment is prepared for children to learn from active exploration and interactions with their peers. Children are encouraged to question, explore, and discover while developing self-confidence and social skills to succeed in school and in life. Together, the children and teachers work and learn from each other to create a community of learners to enjoy and collaborate in discovering the world and to instill the foundation for life-long learning.

The curriculum is based on developmentally appropriate principles and practices to provide for the physical, emotional, social, language, literacy, and cognitive development of all children through an integrated approach. Play is the primary vehicle for the children’s learning and, thus, the cornerstone of the Early Childhood Center program.

The Early Childhood Center uses a centers approach to our classroom organization. The children may make decisions about which centers they would like to visit each day. Our centers include writing, art, math, science, blocks, puzzles and games, dramatic play, library, listening center, and music. Reading and writing materials for the children to use throughout the classroom are available in the centers. The teachers and our early childhood education students work with individual children and small groups at the centers to guide and support learning, exploration, and discovery. Whole class activities are included in the daily schedule.

The content of the curriculum is based on selected themes to follow the children’s interests and needs. Themes, curriculum units, and special activities are planned with attention to a wide range of developmental interests and abilities. The curriculum is implemented in a manner that reflects family home values, experiences, language, and community perspectives to enhance each child’s understanding and appreciation of people from various ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The Early Childhood Center also follows the Massachusetts Guidelines for Preschool Experiences, Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, and National Association for the Education of Young Children guidelines to develop the curriculum, themes, and activities.

Our History

The Framingham State University Early Childhood Center opened in July 2015 under the management of the College of Education. The FSU Early Childhood Center program continues a long history of providing full day care to the children of Framingham State University employees and surrounding communities. Approximately 10 years ago, the center closed and was re-opened in 2008 at its current location at 2 Church Street on campus by popular demand from the University community. When the center re-opened, the program was managed by the MetroWest YMCA. In the spring of 2014, FSU decided to bring the management back to the College of Education to expand opportunities for early childhood education and care on campus. With this move, University students who are interested in learning about and working with young children and their families can now work in the Early Childhood Center to gain valuable experience and course credit while the children of FSU faculty, staff, students, and alumni are offered a year round, full-day option for child care and education.

Parent Advisory Board

The Parent Advisory Board (PAB) serves the Child Development Lab and Early Childhood Center to advise administrators and teachers on parent issues, programs, special events, and fundraisers. The PAB is comprised of parents, teachers from both the Child Development Lab and Early Childhood Center, and University college student representatives from the courses using Lab for field study. Meetings are held twice each semester. From the PAB, sub-committees are formed with parents and campus members to work together on special events and fundraisers. In the past, the PAB has sponsored such events for the children and their families as Family Movie Night and Pajama Party, field day, and social events at local gyms and playgrounds during the school vacations and assisted with the annual children’s art shows. For interested parents who would like to serve on the PAB, please contact your child’s teacher.

Tuition & Application Information

The Early Childhood Center offers a preschool program for children 2 years and 9 months to 5 years old, including full- day care (12 and 10 months) and school-year programs (10 months from September to June) for children of FSU employees and students and community members from the MetroWest area. In addition, the Early Childhood Center and Child Development Lab partner with the Framingham Public Schools to participate in the preschool expansion to close the opportunity gap in the City of Framingham for its four-year old residents. 

A 10% tuition discount is given to siblings for the second (or more) child currently enrolled in any of the CDL programs.

Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care vouchers are accepted.

School Day Program for School Year (10 Months): 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.


 

FSU Affiliated Rate

10 Monthly Payments

Community Rate

10 Monthly Payments

5 Days 

$994.00 

$1,097.00

4 Days

$797.00 

$878.00

3 Days 

$597.00 

$658.00



 

School Day Program for School Year (12 Months): 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.


 

FSU Affiliated Rate

12 Monthly Payments

Community Rate

12 Monthly Payments

5 Days 

$912.00 

Not Available

4 Days

$730.00 

Not Available

3 Days 

$547.00 

Not Available



 

Full-Day Program for School Year (10 Months): 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.


 

FSU Affiliated Rate

10 Monthly Payments

Community Rate

10 Monthly Payments

5 Days

$1,410.00

$1,929.00

4 Days

$1,129.00

$1,548.00

3 Days

$986.00

$1,351.00



 

Full-Day Program (12 Months): 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.


 

FSU Affiliated Rate

12 Monthly Payments

Community Rate

12 Monthly Payments

5 Days 

$1,283.00

$1,756.00

4 Days

$1,026.00

$1,407.00

3 Days

$895.00

$1,228.00


 

Our People

Valerie Hytholt

Valerie Hytholt

Director, Centers for Early Childhood Education, Education Department

Alivia Pimental

Preschool Teacher, Centers for Early Childhood Education

Ashley Rendel

Lead Preschool Teacher, Centers for Early Childhood Education