Program areas at Child Care of the Berkshires
Early education and Care services through the family Child Care (fcc)system - early education and Care services for children are provided thorugh a network of independently licensed family Child Care homes, serving 6-10 children. There are approximately 10-14 homes in the fcc system. the daily schedule in the fcc home encompasses plenty of free choice time in order to enhance independent investigation and experimentation by the children as well as socialization. Each fcc provider develops a curriculum that includes activities across all developmental areas. the majority of funding comes from the mass department of early education and Care.
Family support services program - the family support program targets the specific needs of vulnerable children who are enrolled in the various Child Care programs (center based and family Child Care homes) and have suffered trauma and or abuse and neglect. This is a closed referral program and children are referred from the ma department of children and families to Child Care of the Berkshires. Specific services are provided that include transportation to and from Child Care programs (as needed), observation and assessment of children in the specific settings, creation of individualized lesson plans to promote children's development, and visits to the Child Care centers and the various fcc homes. Specialists often assist the parents of the children enrolled to address concerns and specific needs. As needed, the specialists make referrals (in conjunction with the parent) to additional services such as early intervention and/or public schools or mental health services including counseling. the home visitor and the parent together formulate a service plan that outlines the strengths and needs of the family, and serves as a framework for services.
Early education and Care services at the monument square (msq) early childhood and school age program - the monument square early childhood and school-age center provides Child Care services for families. the center is licensed by the department of early education and Care (eec) for a total of 82 children and enrolls infants, toddlers and preschoolers and school age-children in seven different classrooms. Msq's goal is to provide a caring, safe, secure and stimulating environment that promotes a Child's physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development, while responding to the various needs of the family.
Community programs, family resource center, parenting partnership program, lead poisoning prevention program, community family coordination engagement, parent Child+.