Bigelow At A Glance
PHILOSOPHY
Bigelow is a community in which teachers, administrators and parents take an active role in providing children with a positive and stimulating first school experience. We believe children are competent and capable individuals who are inherently curious and passionate about learning. Through our emergent, play-based curriculum, children are empowered to participate actively in their own learning and supported to become confident thinkers and capable problem-solvers. We strive to provide children with a safe, nurturing and diverse environment in which they can develop meaningful relationships with other children and adults.
BIGELOW AT A GLANCE
- Serves Cambridge and Somerville families; 15 min walking distance from Harvard and Porter Squares.
- Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC.)
- Open year-round (no summer break or separate summer program.)
- Flexible schedule: children can attend 2, 3, 4 or 5 days.
- Accommodates varying needs: children can attend for a 3/4 day (8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) or full day (8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.), with options for early drop-off at 8:00 a.m. and late pick-up at 6:00 p.m.
- Bigelow classrooms:
- Infant Room (3 to 11 months)
- Rainbow One (12 to 23 months)
- Rainbow Two (24 to 32 months)
- Preschool room 1 & 2 (33 months to 5 years)
- Tuition: Bigelow tuition is on par with tuition at other parent cooperatives and high-quality centers in the area (per hour of care provided.) See the detailed tuition table.
- Teachers: Bigelow is home to a diverse and dedicated team of experienced teachers and caregivers who share a deep understanding of how children at various stages of development learn and play. Some teachers have been at the Center for over 20 years. Bigelow offers excellent child/teacher ratios that often exceed the requirements of the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and meet NAEYC guidelines.
- Curriculum: Each room routine provides time for personal choices in play as well as more structured activities. Teachers emphasize age-appropriate social interactions, cultural awareness, and learning non-violent problem solving skills—with an eye towards enhancing a child's positive self-image. Bigelow offers an anti-bias, theme- and project-based emergent curriculum.
- Parent involvement: Parents are partners, collaborators, and advocates for their children. As members of the cooperative, all families are involved in the operation and governance of Bigelow. Parents participate in classroom activities on a regular schedule, and belong to committees that perform support services for the center.
- Communal lunch: At Bigelow, families take turns cooking healthy lunches for their child's class, thus making a home-school connection and exposing children to a variety of foods and cultures.
