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
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Cara Klempner
Testing Proctor/ELC Substitute Teacher/Chen Transportation Worker/Associate Testing Proctor -
Vanessa Mills
Part-Time Teacher, The Early Learning Center -
Grace Randall
Substitute Teacher, The Early Learning Center -
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.