Did you know that QCC offers full-day education and childcare for preschool children right on campus? The Children’s School: Early Childhood Education Lab School provides high-quality early education for children in the community ages 2.9 through 5 years old, with over 20% being children of QCC students.
Beyond childcare, The Children’s School plays a vital role in hands-on learning for QCC students. The Children's School in partnership with the Early Childhood Education program, provides opportunities for both observation and real-world practice building and delivering curriculum, which has led to praise from local early education employers. The Children's School also collaborates with departments such as psychology, dental hygiene and any others that have a pediatric component in the coursework.
Director of the Children's School/Early Childhood Education Lab School, Erin Roache, a QCC alum who started at the college in 2009 and became director in 2022, is driven by a growth mindset that influences not only the children, but also Early Education college students, program staff and faculty.
"The first five years of life are tremendously important," said Roache. "We are constantly looking for ways to stand out in our field and provide the best experience for children and QCC students alike."
Over the past year, The Children's School has enjoyed incredible opportunities, from partnering with the Regional Environmental Council to planting vegetables and learning about pollinators, to hosting a vibrant annual art show. The Children's School also welcomed representatives from Senator Robyn Kennedy’s office, who emphasized the importance of early childhood education.
"We feel so uplifted and supported by the QCC community," said Roache.
Location: The Children’s School: Early Childhood Education Lab School is located in the “Child Study” building on the main campus of QCC.
Number of employees: Six full-time educators, four part-time educators, two part-time program assistants and one program director.
Basic functions and services offered:
The Children’s School provides full day, high-quality early education and care for children ages 2.9 through 5 years old. They care for children of QCC students, staff and faculty, as well as from the surrounding community. The Children’s School acts as a model and service-learning experience for the Early Childhood Department and its college students, as well as other areas of the college.
Mission of the department:
Together Quinsigamond Community College’s Early Childhood Education Department and the Children’s School are committed to the following:
• Providing a valuable learning experience for students, children, and families that fosters and supports appreciation of self, others, and the world.
• Meeting the needs of individual students, children, and families by providing high-quality learning opportunities based on the idea that individual needs may necessitate different teaching and learning strategies.
• Allowing each student and child to learn at their own pace and make choices in an atmosphere of order, predictability, warmth, and mutual trust.
• Creating a supportive environment in which faculty, teachers, and staff provide direct modeling, supervision, and feedback to children and students, in which these students and children gain confidence and competence through their interactions.
• Working collaboratively to help students build the necessary skills and tools for working effectively with young children, children’s families and co-workers.
• Promoting self-motivated learning through exploration, discovery, and hands-on practical experiences.
What is the best way for students/staff/faculty to get in touch with your department?
Email childrensschool@qcc.mass.edu.