Worcester Comprehensive Child Care Services

“Worcester Comprehensive Child Care Services, Inc. provides nurturing and stimulating child care that is responsive to the entire family, by offering programs and opportunities to those most in need.”
When using the term “parent”, we refer to the parent or guardian of a child. We define the word “family” inclusively since we recognize that children come from many different family configurations. WCCCS believes that parents, as well as children, are an important part of our program and that for most families quality child care has become a necessity.

We believe a child learns best in a stimulating environment. Each child is an individual with unique interests, likes and dislikes. He/she must have frequent opportunities for free choice and self expression.

Children are encouraged to participate in many play activities designed to develop their fine and gross motor, self-help, cognitive, emotional, and social skills. Many opportunities are provided for children to socialize with peers and adults.

As child care providers, we are professionals with a strong working knowledge of the developmental stages of children. We are here to work in partnership with each family as we provide care.

WCCCS's vision is - A strong, stable leader in the education and development of children and their families;
A critical resource that enriches the whole community by educating, nurturing and successfully developing those families most in need;
A model child care organization, that attracts substantial private investments of volunteer time and financial contributions and public policy support.

Description:
Worcester Comprehensive Child Care Services, Inc. provides quality child care and support services to families throughout the Worcester area as detailed below:

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES:
Worcester Comprehensive Child Care Services, Inc.’s administrative offices are located at our Great Brook Valley site.

SCHOOL AGE PROGRAM:
The School Age Program, located at our Great Brook Valley site, is an after school recreational program which emphasizes arts, crafts, athletics, music, science and a variety of educational games and activities. Tutoring in academic subjects and quiet areas for children doing homework are also provided. Most importantly, the School Age Program provides a safe place for older children, ages 5 to 13, to meet after school or when public schools are closed. The Program operates from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. during the school year, and is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. during the summer and school vacations. Special trips to amusement parks, zoos, museums, and state parks are highlights of the summer program.

HOME BASED CHILD CARE:
The Home Based Child Care (HBCC)system consists of Home Based Child Care Providers who are licensed by the Department of Early Education & Care (DEEC) to provide safe, nurturing care to small groups of infants and young children in their homes. Each home is monitored regularly by WCCCS, DEEC and a food sponsoring program. The children are fed according to the guidelines of the USDA and the Bureau of Nutrition. HBCC providers are trained in CPR, First Aid, and the development of individual curriculum for each child. They assure that each child is given individual attention daily, and encourage each child to develop their cognitive, language, social and motor skills at their own pace. The providers possess a knowledge of children’s growth and development, and the ability to accept each child as a unique individual. The providers open their homes to children from 4 weeks old to 11 years old, and are supportive of each child as well as the whole family. On-going communication is an integral part of the relation between parent and provider. Each HBCC home is well equipped with supplies and materials that are age appropriate and multicultural, and are rotated on a regular basis. They have an extensive supply of books, puzzles, puppets, manipulative toys, and child-size furniture. The children are able to select the toys that they would like to use, are encouraged to share with others, and to pick up the toys when they are finished with them. Most of the HBCC staff and providers are bi-lingual, and all of the homes are located in the Greater Worcester area.
Parents are welcome to visit a HBCC home during the hours that their child is in care, and are encouraged to participate in planned field trips and other events. The program operates 5 days a week, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. but may vary according to need and availability.

INFANT/TODDLER PROGRAM:
The Infant/Toddler Program, for children 4 weeks to 2 years, 9 months, is offered at the Great Brook Valley and Main South Centers. Daily programming operates on a flexible timetable that is geared to meet the individual needs of each child. Infants nap and eat according to their own schedule and appropriate activities are provided for each child. A warm and secure environment is maintained, emphasizing close and trusting relationships among parents, children and staff members. The Centers also provide a well-rounded curriculum, designed to encourage the natural learning process of the young child. Toddler play includes a variety of activities such as painting, books/stories, songs, water, sand play, manipulative, and outdoor play. Throughout all programs, age appropriate equipment and educational toys are provided. The environment is stimulating and well equipped to foster the growth and development of all children. Nutritious meals (breakfast and lunch) are provided, as well as snacks. The bilingual and multicultural staff helps to create a child care setting that reflects the ethnic and cultural diversity of the families in the Worcester community.

PRESCHOOL PROGRAM:
The Preschool Program, for children from 2 years 9 months up to 6 years (7 years Main South Center), is offered at the Great Brook Valley and Main South Centers. All children grow and learn at their own pace. At these Centers, teams of well-trained and experienced Early Childhood Educators will help your child to develop to his or her fullest potential. Children learn to master new skills while growing in confidence and independence. An enriched environment and carefully planned activities encourage each child’s physical, emotional, cognitive and social development. Nutritious meals (breakfast and lunch) are provided, as well as snacks. The Centers recognize the parents as the primary educator of the child. Parents are therefore encouraged to participate through parent/teacher conferences and classroom visits. A great deal of care is taken to communicate often, and to accomplish this we have a bilingual and multicultural staff.

SUPPORTS TO TEEN PARENTS—TEEN CARE I AND TEEN CARE II PROGRAM:
The Teen Care I Program at Burncoat High School and the Teen Care II Program at South High Community School are comprehensive school-based young parent programs for Worcester Public School students in grades 9 through 12. The programs operate in conjunction with the public school calendar and provides specialized support services to teenage parents and their children. Teen parent services include on site infant/toddler child care, counseling, case monitoring and social support services, health monitoring, parent education, and health and nutrition education. Both programs offer comprehensive support to teen parents, which lead to high school completion, improved parenting skills, and physically and emotionally healthier parents and babies.

History:
History:
In 1971, concerned residents of Great Brook Valley, working with Worcester Housing Authority, established Great Brook Valley Child Care Services in answer to a need for after school programs. The agency has since added infant/toddler child care, preschools, and expanded family child care. In addition, the agency also offers support services to teenage parents finishing high school. In 1987, the agency’s name was changed to Worcester Comprehensive Child Care Services, Inc. (WCCCS) to reflect the numerous programs being offered to children and families at sites throughout Worcester.

Contact people:

John Gardiner, Executive Director, (508) 852-3792 ext. 13, (email) Patty Robitaille, (508) 852-3792 ext. 12, (email) Helen Velez, Office Manager, (508) 852-3792 ext. 11, (email)

Office fax number: (508) 853-1520

Address:

160 Tacoma St. Worcester, MA 01605 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.wcccs.com

Directions:

Directions To: WCCCS, Inc. Great Brook Valley 160 Tacoma Street Worcester, MA (508) 852-3792 Going Up Lincoln Street from Main St. – You Will Pass the Stop & Shop/Lowe’s Plaza on the Right ¼ Mile Up, at Folk - Bear Left onto Boylston Street ¼ Mile. . . (more)   Nearest Bus Stop: Tacoma Street, 1 minute walk

Miscellaneous Information

Are any opportunities appropriate for youth ages 18 or under? If yes, what age range?
	no

Last updated on September 16, 2009