Early Learning Center

The Early Learning Center is located on Route 5 & 10, a half mile south of Deerfield Academy. We provide services for children from infancy through preschool with a low teacher/child ratio. All teachers are certified by the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and participate in ongoing professional development. Hours of operation are from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm Monday through Friday during the academic year (early drop off at 7:30 am and late day till 4:30 pm are available for an extra charge).

The Early Learning Center is also open for seven weeks during the summer.  Summer hours are 8 am – 4 pm with no early or late hours.

Our Mission

The Early Learning Center provides quality early education and care to the families of Deerfield Academy, Eaglebrook School, and the community. We strive to provide a warm, safe, and nurturing environment that encourages independence and self-respect, as well as a sensitivity to, and an awareness of, others and the environment. We are committed to building relationships of mutual trust with both parents and their children. Recognizing the parents as the child’s first educator and our partner allows us as teachers to co-construct a comprehensive foundation of learning for all children.

Our Curriculum

Our curriculum connects the child to the world in which they live. We bring the child’s family, culture, community, and natural environment into the classroom and use it as starting point to engage children in math, science, language, literacy, motor function, and the arts. Lessons are purposefully planned to support executive functions and enhance the child’s working memory, mental flexibility, and self-control, allowing them to manage their thoughts, emotions, and behavior. We use scaffolding as a teaching strategy to assist the learner in developing a new skill or knowledge and promote engagement, motivation, critical thinking skills, and independence.

Families use FACTS to pay for their ELC child care. FACTS provides flexible payment plan options to families. Families can budget their tuition, making child care more accessible and affordable. The process is simple, convenient, and secure.

Staff

  1. Tressa Anson

    Lead Teacher, The Early Learning Center
  2. Shealyn Berube

    Lead Teacher, The Early Learning Center
  3. Lisa Buck

    Director of The Early Learning Center
  4. Tess Hunter

    Lead Preschool Teacher
  5. Cara Klempner

    Testing Proctor/ELC Substitute Teacher/Associate Testing Proctor
  6. Diane Lively

    Admin. to Director of Operations
  7. Vanessa Mills

    Part-Time Teacher, The Early Learning Center
  8. Bonnie Sachs

    Assistant Infant Teacher
  9. Cassie Stewart

    Preschool Teacher
  10. Wolfsong Wolfsong

    Lead Infant/Toddler Teacher
  11. Bizzy Yvon

    Assistant Director of The Early Learning Center

Frequently Asked Questions

Enrollment priority is given to Deerfield Academy employees first, Eaglebrook School families second, and additional openings will be available to the children in the surrounding community.

Contact Early Learning Center

lbuck@deerfield.edu
413-774-6626

8:00 am to 4:00 pm M-F

State Rd S 5/10
Deerfield, MA 01342