Community Day Care Lawrence, Massachusetts

The Teen Parent Infant/Toddler Program provides nurturing, developmentally appropriate care to the children of teen parents who are attending school or high school/GED graduates who are working. The program has two components: child care for infants and toddlers and support for young mothers.

Infants need warm, nurturing care customized to their individual schedules. Feeding, napping, cuddling, and developmentally appropriate activities are all offered according to infants’ individual schedules. A record of each infant’s daily schedule is maintained by the teachers and is shared with the parent each day.

Infant classrooms are led by certified, highly qualified teachers and have 2 teachers with up to 7 infants; homes have 1 provider with up to 2 children under the age of 15 months and 1 child between 15 and 24 months who is able to walk independently, with a total of up to 6 children.

Toddlers thrive in an environment that supports language, socialization, and their growing sense of independence. Teacher-caregivers give individual attention to toddlers, guiding them through activities and interactions in small groups.

Learning is guided by Creative Curriculum^®, which provides a framework for creating environments that move and flow with children’s developing interests and changing needs. Children learn about themselves and the world around them and are encouraged to feel capable as learners; teacher-caregivers are guided through a process of observing and monitoring the healthy development of children.

A typical day includes: a healthy breakfast, lunch, and snack; tooth brushing; free play; circle and music; fun learning activities: painting, coloring, cutting, gluing, Play-Doh, sand or water play; gross motor play; stories; and outdoor playtime.

Toddler classrooms are led by certified, highly qualified teachers and have 2 teachers with up to 9 toddlers; homes have 1 provider with up to 2 children under the age of 15 months and 1 child between 15 and 24 months who is able to walk independently, with a total of up to 6 children.

Teens and their babies are driven from home to the care site and school. Support groups meet weekly to address parenting skills, career counseling, and balancing the needs of home and school. Home visitors call on the teens and their children at home, offering additional parenting support, health/nutrition guidance, and referral help if additional services are needed.