Types of Care

Early Care and Education Center Programs

Our infant, toddler, and preschool group care programs have:

• 3 to 5 classrooms
• Toddler classrooms have 9 children and preschool classrooms average 16 children
• Our teaching staff maintains an adult to child ratio of 1:4.5 in toddler classrooms and 1:8 in preschool classrooms
• Each teaching team plans a daily schedule, emphasizing individual attention, small and large group activities, and active play
• Each classroom reflects areas of interest such as block-building, dramatic play, sand and water, storytelling, science, and creative arts
• We maximize opportunities for gross motor, fine motor, and language development

The overall goal of all programming is to nurture each child’s self esteem by creating situations where the child can successfully explore, experiment, and be challenged.

Family Child Care

Family child care takes place in the home of a caregiver (called a provider) who is recruited, contracted with, trained and subsequently supervised by an Associated family day care coordinator. Each family child care home has up to six children from 3 months to six years of age. No more than two children under the age of two are served in a family child care home. The daily schedule in each family child           care home varies according to the needs and ages of the children as well as the schedules of their parents. The unique aspects of family child care are the small groups of children in each home and the flexible hours of service.

Funding

Our programs have a combination of basic, supportive, voucher, and United Way slots (a “slot” defines the availability of child day care services for one child for one day). The Department of Social           Services (DSS) basic slots are for income eligible parents who work or are receiving training to become employable. Supportive slots are for children referred from DSS for protective or preventive reasons. Vouchers are for parents who participate in the Department of Public Welfare’s Employment and Training Program (E.T.). Associated’s United Way slots are for families who do not meet the eligibility criteria for any of the above types of slots. The ability to assist these families, through United Way funding, enables us to serve a broader spectrum of families. All except supportive care parents pay fees according to a sliding fee scale based on income and family size. Income eligibility for DSS basic slots requires that total household income be at or below 70% (approximately $18,000) of the           state median income at the time of application. Parents remain eligible until their income exceeds 130% (approximately $30,000) of the state median income.

Family Child Care

About us

Our wonderful staff and the family child care providers represent the cultures and languages of the families we serve.

Location

We have 125 provider homes in Roxbury, Dorchester, Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, Hyde Park, West Roxbury, Milton, East Boston, Chelsea, and Revere.

Credentials

Providers are all licensed by the state and many are enrolled in the National Accreditation Certification process.

Availability

Our services are available to everyone with a sliding fee scale for parents who meet the Office of Child Care Services income guidelines.

Children’s Day

Each child’s day is filled with caring, love and attention as well as education and learning. Our goal is to nurture a lifelong love for learning.

Parents

We recognize parents as the primary caretakers and educator of their children. We will let you know how your child spends his or her day. You will be invited to take part in a variety of initiatives such as our Parent Advisory Council, parent meetings, and parent support groups.

 

Associated Family Child Care Contact Info:  

Chelsea
70 Everett Avenue, Suite 504
Chelsea, MA 02150
Program Director: Iraida Pagan
Phone: 617-889-4884
Fax: 617-889-0634

Roslindale/Jamaica Plain
4640 Washington Street
Roslindale, MA 02131
Program Director: Gisell Salcedo
Phone: 617-323-7551
Fax: 617-323-7348

The Child Care Project
42 Charles Street
Dorchester, MA 02122
Program Director: Ivette Morales
Phone: 617-825-6554
Fax: 617-825-7862

Volunteer Opportunities

• Classroom Volunteer:
  Volunteer alongside teachers providing one-on-one attention to             children.
• Parent Meeting Volunteer:
  Assist with child care during a monthly evening parent/staff             meeting.
• Reader:
  Read to children each week to help supplement our programs.
• Field Trip Chaperone:
  Volunteer to be a chaperone on one of our educational field trips.            Help teachers make the most out of the day for the children.
• Holiday Gift Drive:
  Conduct a holiday gift drive in your office, community, local             library or hold a children’s book drive.
• Administrative Volunteer:
  Help answer phones, file, provide computer assistance at one of             our program sites, help with mailings or data entry at our central office.
• Committee Member:
  Become a member of our special event committee, public relations             committee or capital campaign committee.

Volunteer FAQ

FIVE frequently asked questions regarding the volunteer program:

1. If I want to volunteer with children, what is the minimum commitment time?
   The minimum commitment time to volunteer in the classroom is 3 months. As educators and care providers we are sensitive to a child’s healthy development. We need to provide a consistent presence and develop strong and positive relationships with the children we serve.
    
2. What is CORI/DSS background check?
   CORI is an acronym for Criminal Offender Record Information and DSS for Department of Social Services;both are background checks that apply to individuals 15 years or older, who work/volunteer with children/elderly. It is a mandatory process set by the Office of Child Care Services. Volunteerism at Associated is contingent upon CORI/DSS results.
    
3. Are all volunteer opportunities on a set schedule?
   We are accommodating to the volunteer’s schedule.
   
   
4. What is the placement timeframe?
   The process of application, CORI/DSS request, reference verification, interview (by both the recruiter and the Program Director), orientation, and placement typically spans three weeks.
    
5. What if I don’t want to volunteer with children directly but still would like to help in some way?
   There are many other volunteer opportunities at Associated Early Care and Education. We welcome volunteers with translation, training and administrative skills.
   

Home

By investing in school readiness, promoting healthy development, and strengthening families, Associated Early Care and Education gives students the opportunity to reach their full potential. Explore to learn more about how Associated nurtures a love of learning and creates a brighter future for the children, families, and neighborhoods we serve!

For over 130 years, Associated has provided the highest quality early care and education programs for the communities of Greater Boston.  Today, we are serving over 1,500 children in need, from birth to age five, through our programs and services.

State-of-the-Art Learning Center at Bromley-Heath

We are currently embarking on our single most ambitious project yet: developing and building a state-of-the-art Learning Center in the Bromley-Heath housing development in Boston’s Jamaica Plain neighborhood to serve as the flagship of a unique campus of care and education.  The center incorporates the most creative thinking and evidence-based practices from a variety of fields to create a unique and comprehensive neighborhood-centric early childhood education program that will serve families as well as their children.  We have raised 91% of the $14 million needed to construct the Learning Center, and aim to break ground in Bromley-Heath in summer 2012.  Interested in more information or donating to the project?  Contact Ellen Meltzer at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 617-695-0700 x266.

Donate

Associated is deeply connected to the communities we serve. Our commitment to early care and education reaches beyond our classroom walls to the State House and beyond. Your help is crucial in helping us carry out our mission. Please give generously to help ensure a brighter future for Boston’s working families with children.

Your gift will support our efforts to make a difference at one of the most important development stages in the life of a child.  Each and every child entrusted to our care is given a fair chance to lead a healthy and successful life.

Join us in our efforts! Donate today using the form above.

Your support will make a significant impact on their lives, on their families, and on the entire Greater Boston community by:

• Guaranteeing that the children we serve, roughly 600 of whom are living below the poverty threshold, receive three nutritious meals each day, five days a week.
• Making it possible for children and families who have extra social and emotional needs to receive support from our Family Development staff, who provide resource and referral services as well as counseling and therapy.
• Providing a high quality early education curriculum for children who most need it and whose families are hard-pressed to afford the cost of any child-care, let alone a licensed or accredited program, by offering care on a sliding fee scale.

Supporting Associated also means helping us to grow and improve.  We serve over 1,000 children, but there are many more who would benefit greatly from our centers and from our family child care homes.  Furthermore, while we strive to nurture the whole child, the children in our programs still encounter barriers to success, such as lack of preventative health care, that we aim to reduce by developing more comprehensive programming, including health services in partnership with local clinics.

Prefer to send us a check?
We have tried to make it convenient for you to make your donations with a major credit card; however, if you prefer to send your donation through the mail, you can send it to:

New Partners

New England Workforce Partners for Early Care and Education NEW Partners (www.muskie.usm.maine.edu/) is an exciting and unique collaboration between Associated Early Care and Education, the Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine, the Maine-based ACCESS Coalition, and USA Child Care, funded by the federal Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children, Youth and Families.

NEW Partners brings together early care and education stakeholders from the six New England states to review, create, and implement data collection and public policy models to address the challenge of early care and education workforce recruitment, retention, and quality. Working with teams from each of the six states, NEW Partners seeks to create a model for regional data collection and analysis that better informs policy makers, providers, parents and researchers - ultimately improving the quality of care children received.

Boston EQUIP

Associated Early Care and Education launched the Boston Early Education Quality Improvement Project (Boston EQUIP) in 1994 with a broad goal and mission - to collaborate with members of the Boston early education community to systematically evaluate, set goals for, and improve upon the quality of early childhood programs.

Click here to visit Boston EQUIP.

Public Policy

We are a leader in shaping public policy on the local, state, and federal level. Working with partners across the country, Associated advocates for accessible, affordable, high quality early care and education.

Visit this page for information on:

State funding for early care and education
Legislative proposals related to early care and education
Federal legislative and budget activity
Action steps you can take to have an impact on early care and education policy
Early care and education events related to early care and education policy

How to Get Involved

Throughout our history, Associated Early Care & Education has relied on the compassion and commitment of countless volunteers, donors and sponsors to fulfill the mission of our organization. Associated asks you to come and share your gifts with society’s most precious asset – our children – during a development stage that will impact their entire lives.

Volunteer

Volunteers contribute over 40,000 work hours each year, the equivalent of adding 24 full-time staff to the agency. They come from all walks of life - professionals, parents, community members, high school and college students - to make a valuable contribution of their time and skills.  To learn more about about volunteering for Associated, please check out the Frequently Asked Questions and the listing of Volunteer Opportunities. 

Donate

Your financial support is crucial in helping us carry out our mission.  Click here to learn how you can make a difference in the lives of children by providing the resources for our children to succeed.

Center Locations

Careers

Make Caring Your Next Career Move!

Make a positive career move while making a difference in a child’s future! Associated Early Care and Education has been providing high quality child care and education to children & families throughout the city of Boston for over 130 years. Our goal is to ensure that existing staff and all new hires are better prepared to succeed in their job, while ultimately contributing to the success of Associated.

Benefits

In addition to competitive wages, Associated offers a comprehensive benefits package including the following:

Medical
Dental
Vision
Employee Assistance Program
403(b)
Child Care Discount
Flexible Spending Accounts
Generous Paid Time Off

For more information on Associated’s Benefits Package please call 617-695-0700, option 2.

Senior Management

The efforts and initiatives of Associated are led by an accomplished team of professionals with a proven track record and a demonstrated commitment to fulfilling our mission.

Carol Campbell, Vice President, Center-Based Programs and Quality Assurance

Lou Casagrande, Special Assistant to the CEO, Director, Bromley-Heath Project

Chris Head, Vice President, Human Resources

Clement James, Chief Financial Officer & Senior Vice President, Finance and Administration

Tucker Levy, Chief Operating Officer

Ellen Meltzer, Vice President, Development, Marketing, and Public Relations

Lourdes Sariol, Vice President, Family Child Care Programs

Wayne Ysaguirre, President & CEO

Board of Directors

Associated is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of corporate executives, lawyers, academics, parents, community leaders and others who have a deep commitment to the early care and education needs of children and their families.  They provide invaluable leadership, direction, and support in helping to fulfill Associated’s mission

Lisa Zankman, Chair
Gayle M. Slattery, Vice Chair
Bruce F. Blaisdell, Treasurer
Maria J. Krokidas, Clerk
Jean-Claude Bastien, M.D.
Ann Bookman, Ph.D.
Justice Margot Botsford
Gigi Bruno
Clarence A. Cooper
Daniel Cruz, Jr.
Carol Gregory
Cathy Judd-Stein
Jonathan Lonske
Tammy MacWilliams
Nancy Mayo-Smith
Mary Mindess
Peter C. Pedro, Jr.
Melanie Ray
Harriet G. Tolpin, Ph.D.

Looking for Care

As part of our commitment to working families, Associated offers a variety of child care services:

Group care for infants, toddlers and preschoolers:

Our early care and education centers are structured and operated in a way that mirrors traditional center-based care.  Each center is managed by a Program Director and Program Assistant. Early education specialists assist teaching staff with implementing a curriculum that addresses the needs of each child. We offer hot nutritious meals daily through our Nutrition program.

Family child care for infants, toddlers and preschoolers (home-based):

Our family child care program is unique in that each home is a licensed, contracted provider.  Coordinators provide support and supervision to family child care providers. Each program’s licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) provides both prevention and crisis intervention services to families.

Specialized services for abused and/or neglected infants and toddlers.

 

Instructions on how to enroll your child:

• Select the type of care best suited for your child (click here for additional information on the types of care);
• Determine eligibility by completing our child care application.
• Contact the Program Assistant at the desired center (click here for center contact information);
• Schedule personal meeting and tour of the center;
• Complete child enrollment form.

If you need assistance during any point in this process, please contact Martha DeJesus, Enrollment Compliance Specialist, at 617 695 0700 ext. 233 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Parents

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Mission Statement

“Associated Early Care and Education gives Greater Boston’s youngest children in need, birth to age 5, the opportunity to reach their full potential by investing in school readiness, promoting healthy development, and strengthening families.”

Associated’s staff is dedicated to:

• providing the best early education experience to children and their families;
• ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for the children in our care;
• honoring our staff and providers by creating opportunities for professional growth and fulfillment;
• making the diversity of our staff, providers, and families a source of strength and learning;
• being leaders in our field, knowing that positive change happens by leading through example;
• being a community leader by maintaining and developing community relationships and strategic alliances that better serve our children and their families; and
• operating with fiscal responsibility and accountability to assure our long-term viability.

 

History

When our first program opened in 1878, Associated Early Care & Education became New England’s first child care and early education agency.  One hundred and thirty years later, Associated remains committed to providing high quality, affordable child care to Boston’s working families and their children.

1878-The New Day Nursery opens on Hancock St. in Beacon Hill as the first New England day program for children in Boston.

1882-The Ward 16 Nursery, located on Green Street in the South End, opens as a daycare for the children of working mothers. The children participating range in age from 6 months to 6 years old.

1885-The New Day Nursery changes its name to the Sunnyside Day Nursery.

1896- The Ward 16 Day Nursery moves to 82 Carver Street in Boston’s South End and the name is formally changed to South End Day Nursery.

1922-Dr. Abigail Eliot opens the Ruggles Nursery School, the first educational nursery in the United States. Originally, the program started as a nursery in a Ruggles neighborhood house.

1926- Dr. Abigail Eliot and Patty Smith Hill found NANE-the National Association of Nursery Educators-the precursor to the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

1942-Federal Government passes the Lanham Act, providing federal funding for child care across the country as part of the war effort because women were needed in the workforce. Sunnyside, Ruggles, and South End Day Nursery all participate.

1948-Last Lanham Act funding disappears. Boston leaders including Dr. Abigail Eliot and Lucy Miller Mitchell form committee to plan for the future of these programs.

1951-As a result of the committee’s work, the Board of the United Community Services of Metropolitan Boston (forerunner to the United Way) creates Associated Day Care Services of Metropolitan Boston. Associated opens with six charter programs: The South End Day Nursery, The Ruggles St. Nursery, the Sunnyside Day Nursery, the Robert Gould Shaw House, the Trinity Neighborhood House and the Elizabeth Peabody House.

1952-Associated incorporates with eight member programs, five settlement houses (Dorchester House, Robert Gould Shaw House, Oliver James House, Trinity House and the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood House) and three day nurseries (South End Day Nursery, Ruggles St. Nursery and Sunnyside Day Nursery).

1956- The South End Day Nursery moves to the Bromley-Heath Housing project in Jamaica Plain.

1962-Pressed by Lucy Miller Mitchell and the Associated Board, Governor John Volpe signs the first basic Child Care Standards law in Massachusetts, making Massachusetts eligible for federal funds. Associated opens federally funded pilot preschool project in the Columbia Point Housing Development. By 1964, the pilot project becomes Head Start.

1968-Associated accepts the first state contract for child care services in the Commonwealth from the Department of Public Welfare. 1971-Associated Day Care Services opens the Children Community Corner Day Care Center in Chelsea.

1972-Associated opens the Gilday Center for 12 Trauma X (abused and neglected) infants and toddlers placed by the inflicted injury unit of the Department of Public Welfare.

1973-Associated takes over the operations of the Children’s Day Care Center of Cambridge. 1981-The Family Day Care program (FDC) begins contracting with family child care providers to serve four children through funding from the Department of Social Services. The program serves children younger than pre-school age.

1987-Associated expands Family Child Care to serve 80 children and adds services in Jamaica Plain.

1988-The federal Family Support Act (FSA) passes. The bill guarantees child care for twelve months to families leaving the federal Aid To Families with Dependent Children program (AFDC.) The FSA is later amended in 1990 to include low-income ‘at risk’ families not on AFDC.

1989-Associated Day Care Services launches the first court affiliated drop-in day care center in New England, the Roxbury District Court Child Care Center. The program offers day care for children, infants to age twelve, of families involved in court related business. Associated takes over The Central School, Cambridge’s first parent co-op child care program. Children’s Day Care of Cambridge becomes accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs.

1990-The Child Care and Development Block Grant passes in the U.S Congress. It has broad eligibility, requires no matching funds from states and is administered by the states. The CCDBG includes working and non-working families with incomes falling below 75% of the state’s median income level.

1994-Associated launches a research and policy office and becomes the managing agency for Boston EQUIP, a citywide initiative, funded by AT&T, to evaluate and enhance quality in early childhood education.

1995-Associated establishes Boston’s first accreditation facilitation project to assist programs throughout Eastern Massachusetts with becoming accredited.

1999-Ruggles and Gilday merge into a new 136-child facility in the new Mission Main Housing Development. Associated establishes the first child care Quality Assurance Department in the country.

1999-Associated Research and Policy Department launches Facts In Action-a project designed to develop the capacity of early education advocates and practitioners to use research and data to plan, advocate, and develop for high quality early education programs.

2001-Associated Day Care Services changes its name to Associated Early Care & Education.

2003-All six of Associated’s center-based programs are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

2007-The Child Care Project, a Dorchester-based family child care system, merges with Associated Early Care & Education, adding 140 children to the 950 enrolled in Associated’s programs.

20??-Associated Early Care & Education celebrates adoption of universal access to Early Childhood Education for all children in Massachusetts.

General Info

Associated Early Care & Education improves the lives of Greater Boston’s youngest children and their families by dedicating its efforts to Education, Technical Assistance and Training, and Advocacy and Research.

Education:  We deliver a comprehensive range of services that nurtures over 1,000 children every day, supporting their families and their communities (see Program Overview).  These services include six early care and education centers, a family child care program of over 140 educators, mental health and social services to children citywide, and nutritional support and education.  Preparing the young students in our care for success in life by investing in school readiness is central to Associated’s mission.

Technical Assistance and Training:  In Massachusetts, Associated is a leader in assisting early care and education programs and family child care educators achieve accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC).  Our quality improvement services help nurture expertise in the community and expand knowledge in the early education field.  Associated’s clinical social work staff provides mental health consultation to early education and child care programs throughout the city of Boston.  Associated’s professional staff is sought out for their expertise in conducting mental health and child assessments.

Advocacy and Research: Our objective is to promote early care and education through local, state, and national efforts, public awareness, research, and practice.  We conduct surveys that profile Boston’s early education community, issue reports on important indicators of current quality in early education, and recommend policies and actions to advance the quality of care and education for our youngest students.

These efforts are coordinated by a Senior Management team with a proven track record and a demonstrated commitment to fulfilling our mission.  Associated is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of corporate executives, lawyers, academics, parents, community leaders and others who have a deep commitment to the early care and education needs of children and their families.

Program Overview

Since its inception in 1878, Associated Early Care & Education has continued to evolve and grow in order to best meet the needs of the communities and families we serve.  We currently own and operate six early care and education centers and contract with over 130 independent child care providers through our family child care program. Associated cares for over 1,000 children each day.

Our early care and education centers are structured and operated in a way that mirrors traditional center-based care.  Each center is managed by a Program Director and Program Assistant. Early education specialists assist teaching staff with implementing a curriculum that addresses the needs of each child. We offer hot nutritious meals daily through our Nutrition program.

Our family child care program is unique in that each home is a licensed, contracted provider.  Coordinators provide support and supervision to family child care providers. Each program’s licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) provides both prevention and crisis intervention services to families.

About Us

What We Do…

Associated Early Care and Education gives Greater Boston’s youngest children in need, from birth to age five, the opportunity to reach their full potential by investing in school readiness, promoting healthy development, and strengthening families.

Associated provides:

• critical services for working families through Education programs;
• support and resources for early education professionals through Technical Assistance and Training programs; and
• valuable research and public policy leadership through Advocacy and Research initiatives.

Our efforts are made possible by committed and talented leadership, a caring and dedicated staff, and the generous support of our friends and partners.

Who We Serve…

The children we serve come primarily from low-income, working families living in Boston’s inner city and the cities of Cambridge, Chelsea, Revere, and Somerville. Three of our six centers are located in public housing developments. Seventy-four percent of the parents are single; 56% of families earn less than $20,640 a year; and 15% of the children have been identified by the Department of Social Services as having been abused and/or neglected.

Because affordable child care is critical to these families, we work hard to keep tuition costs at a minimum. Parents pay a sliding fee based on their income and family size, with donations and additional subsidies from public and private sources providing the necessary funding to make our services possible.