We believe that children learn through play and active engagement with the world around them. Our teachers use their knowledge of child development to create enriching, nurturing, consistent and predictable learning environments. The classroom curriculum evolves from the teachers’ observations and documentation of the children’s development, interests, ideas and questions. Experiences are offered to engage the children and encourage growth in all developmental areas.
Education and Care Center Curriculum:
Children are viewed as competent, curious and resourceful. The curriculum is driven by their eagerness to explore and investigate their environment. Our days are structured so that children are provided with the opportunity to engage in open-ended play both indoors and out. Their natural sense of curiosity inspires them to make new discoveries and construct their own knowledge.
Teachers become aware of children’s individual interests and strengths and find ways to engage and expand upon them. They do so by arranging for a rich variety of learning experiences that appeal to all the senses – visual, auditory, and physical – and by alternating individual, partnered, small and large group activities so that children can experience various kinds of social interaction.
We celebrate differences among children and families, respect the child and family’s culture and language, and are responsive to a variety of learning styles. When teachers are developing their curriculum plans, they consider the values, beliefs and experiences of all families in our program.
What sets us apart?
- Accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
- High teacher-to-student ratio
- Open 51 weeks a year / 9.5 hours a day
- Portuguese speaking Educators at all age levels
- Healthy breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack are served
- Partner with Island Grown Schools to provide garden-based learning and healthy, locally grown food.
Hours:
Monday – Friday (excluding legal holidays and approved closures):
8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Early drop-off (7:30-8:00) and Late pick-up (4:30-5:00) are available
To maintain affordability, MVCS’s fundraising subsidizes tuition as the actual cost of care is greater than what is charged. The tuition fees charged to parents are as follows:
| Age Group | Price |
| Scallops 3-15 months | $80/per day |
| Oysters 15 months – 2 years | $77/per day |
| Starfish 2-3 years | $77/per day |
| Quahogs 3 – 5 years | $76/per day |
| Lobsters 3- 5 years | $76/per day |
Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFA) is available for families through the Department of Early Education and Care. Eligibility for CCFA is determined at the time of enrollment. If you are experiencing any of the following, you may be eligible:
- Your family’s income is under 50% of the SMI (see chart)
- You are experiencing homelessness, which includes the following: Staying in a shelter, Sharing the housing of others or living in a motel/hotel due to loss of housing or economic hardship or similar reason.
- You are a parent under the age of 24
- You have an open case with the Department of Children and Families (DCF)
The first step in applying is to add your family to the statewide centralized waitlist for CCFA. We use this list to identify families who may be eligible for CCFA when enrolling children in our program. Please click the button below to learn more about CCFA and to place your family on the statewide centralized waitlist.
We also accept child care subsidies from other funding sources including Bailey Boyd Associates, the Slough Farm Foundation, and The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head.