A comprehensive child care program for children aged two months to twelve years residing in Bristol, Norfolk and Plymouth counties.
History
The Cole-Harrington Children’s Center was established as an educational child care center for toddlers and preschool children in 1978. In 1986, the School-Age Enrichment Program was developed in partnership with the Canton school system to serve kindergarten and school-aged children. In 1987, the Children’s Place was established to provide a preschool program for children with social, emotional and behavioral needs. In 1988, the Family Child Care System was developed to serve additional at-risk children from low-income families and at-risk children referred by the Department of Child and Family Services (DCF). In 1996, the TEENS WITH TOTS program was added to provide support and child care services to teen parents and their children. In 2001, the Infant/Toddler Enrichment Center was created for children aged 3 months to 2.9 years. In 2009, we added an additional center in Canton, the Cole-Harrington Early Learning Center which serves infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
Program Description
Cole-Harrington is committed to serving families and children from all cultural and economic backgrounds and holds contracts with the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and local voucher management agencies to provide care for low income families, families who receive transitional assistance, and at-risk children involved with the Department of Child and Family Services (DCF). Our administrative office is located in Canton.
Our four centers follow the educational philosophy developed by the Brookline Early Education Project (BEEP). The BEEP model integrates contemporary principles and practices of early childhood education featuring the High Scope Cognitively Oriented Curriculum. The curriculum includes three major components: a planned learning environment, a consistent and predictable daily routine, and specific teacher child interactions. We are committed to the concept of inclusive education for all children. We follow culturally responsive practices identified by the National Association of the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and National Association of Social Workers (NASW). See links below.
National Association of the Education of Young Children
National Association of Social Workers
Staff
Staff consists of degreed and certified early childhood and special educators. Clinical social workers support staff efforts to meet the needs of at-risk children and teen parents. We employ teachers with demonstrated abilities to nurture and educate young children as well as support parents in their role as primary caretakers. Our centers utilize the services of a consulting child psychologist and pediatrician to address the needs of children with medical and mental health issues.
Information about Cole-Harrington employment opportunities can be found on the website.
Eligibility
Cole-Harrington child care centers are open to all children. Families receiving subsidized child care funded by the Department of Early Education and Care must meet specific financial guidelines and service need requirements.
Cost
The program publishes its annual tuition rates for the various age groups served including infants, toddlers, preschoolers, pre-kindergarten and school-age children at the beginning of our fiscal year each July. Children can attend most programs 2–5 full days a week. The cost for part time care is prorated based on our weekly rates for the particular age group.
