first circle learning centers | parents handbook | our school

our school

CLASSROOMS

Each First Circle location has classrooms for children in infancy through pre-kindergarten. Many children begin in our programs as infants and remain until they transition to kindergarten. Each classroom is tailored to a different age range, child-teacher ratio, and set of learning objectives. We adhere to age guidelines required by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, and the recommendations and research of the best practices for early childhood education. Each classroom has its own individualized curriculum, daily schedule, and teaching team.

Each room is equipped with developmentally appropriate furniture, equipment, toys, educational materials and areas designed for dramatic play, quiet time, building, art/writing, science activities, and the development of fine and gross motor skills. Our large playgrounds and natural setting expand our classrooms to the outdoors.

infant one

Children are learning to roll, sit up unsupported, crawl, pull themselves up to standing, hold a bottle, “cruise,” and are beginning to use a cup and finger foods. Weather permitting, infants take a ride in strollers outside or play in our separate infant yard. Each child is fed, diapered and naps according to their own individual schedule, bearing in mind family preferences.

ratio educators to children:

  • 1:3 or 2:7
  • 1:3 or 2:7
  • 1:3 or 2:7
  • 1:3 or 2:7

AGE RANGE:

  • 4 weeks to 10 months
  • 4 weeks to 10 months
  • 4 weeks to 10 months
  • 4 weeks to 10 months

infant two

Children begin transitioning towards sleeping on a mat with one afternoon nap, becoming steady on their feet, sitting in a chair at a table to eat, experimenting with eating using utensils, consistently finger-feeding sold foods, and drinking from a sippy cup. They eat, nap and are diapered according to their own schedule, and after 12 months old, transition to sleeping on a mat.

ratio educators to children:

  • 1:3 or 2:7
  • 1:3 or 2:7
  • 1:3 or 2:7
  • 1:3 or 2:7

AGE RANGE:

  • 8 months to 18 months
  • 8 months to 18 months
  • 8 months to 18 months
  • 8 months to 18 months

toddler one

Children are walking and eating independently, and nap once a day. They transition from an individual schedule to a predictable routine-based schedule where they explore the environment with interest and begin to understand rules and structure. Children are gaining more verbal skills and begin to engage socially with their peers and able to communicate their wants and needs.

ratio educators to children:

  • 1:4 or 2:9
  • 1:4 or 2:9
  • 1:4 or 2:9
  • 1:4 or 2:9

AGE RANGE:

  • 15 months to 24 months
  • 15 months to 24 months
  • 15 months to 24 months
  • 15 months to 24 months

toddler two

Already following a routine-based schedule and having developed several self-help and self-care skills, the older toddlers are on a road to independence. They move freely about the room exploring the designated play areas from the busy cooking taking place in dramatic play to the quiet reading in the cozy corner. Circle time happens every day and children become fully engaged as they listen to stories and sing songs. As children’s language and vocabulary develops, children engage socially with their peers. Teachers support this time by helping children problem-solve, learn self-help skills, and encourage children to use their words.

ratio educators to children:

  • 1:4 or 2:9
  • 1:4 or 2:9
  • 1:4 or 2:9
  • 1:4 or 2:9

AGE RANGE:

  • 22 months to 2.9 years
  • 22 months to 2.9 years
  • 22 months to 2.9 years
  • 22 months to 2.9 years

toddler two/three

Already following a routine-based schedule and having developed several self-help and self-care skills, the older toddlers are on a road to independence. They move freely about the room exploring the designated play areas from the busy cooking taking place in dramatic play to the quiet reading in the cozy corner. Circle time happens every day and children become fully engaged as they listen to stories and sing songs. As children’s language and vocabulary develops, children engage socially with their peers. Teachers support this time by helping children problem-solve, learn self-help skills, and encourage children to use their words.

ratio educators to children:

  • 1:4 or 2:9
  • 1:4 or 2:9
  • 1:4 or 2:9

AGE RANGE:

  • 22 months to 2.9 years
  • 22 months to 2.9 years
  • 22 months to 2.9 years

toddler four

A hybrid classroom of full and half-day schedules, children must be two years old by the previous August 31 to enroll. The structure, schedule and learning goals are the same as the Toddler Two/Three classrooms.

ratio educators to children:

  • 1:4 or 2:9

AGE RANGE:

  • 2 years to 3 years

preschool one

Children in this classroom are developing their social and emotional skills by practicing group play skills, beginning to regulate their emotions, and developing a strong vocabulary through songs, conversations and routines. They are also working hard to build self-help skills—like dressing and undressing, cleaning up and persisting at a difficult task.

ratio educators to children:

  • 1:10 or 2:18
  • 1:10 or 2:14
  • 1:10 or 2:12
  • 1:10 or 2:14

AGE RANGE:

  • 2.9 years to 3.9 years
  • 2.9 years to 3.9 years
  • 2.9 years to 4.5 years
  • 2.9 years to 3.9 years

preschool two

Children in Preschool Two are using their verbal expression and communication abilities to explore new social situations. They are expanding their play skills to include their curiosities and interests and are beginning to make literacy connections throughout the classroom. Children continue to develop their self-help skills as well as take responsibility for themselves, their friends, and the classroom community.

ratio educators to children:

  • 1:10 or 2:18
  • 1:10 or 2:14
  • 1:10 or 2:12
  • 1:10 or 2:15

AGE RANGE:

  • 3.9 years to 4.9 years
  • 3.9 years to 4.9 years
  • 3.9 years to 4.9 years
  • 3.9 years to 4.9 years

prekindergarten

Children in pre-k are learning to independently navigate the classroom and make choices with and without peers and teachers. They show interest in all curriculum domains (math, science, literacy, cultural studies, arts), and have a strong social and emotional foundation. Pre-k children actively participate in group experiences—attending to the content, responding to open-ended questions and making predictions. They are able to consistently follow an activity through to completion; capable of caring for their own personal needs (toileting, dressing, safety); and are competent at navigating the classroom environment. Upon completing the prekindergarten program, children are well prepared for kindergarten.

ratio educators to children:

  • 1:10 or 2:19
  • 1:10 or 2:18
  • 1:10 or 2:20
  • 1:10 or 2:20

AGE RANGE:

  • 4.9 years up to 7 years
  • 4.9 years up to 6 years
  • 4 years up to 5.9 years
  • 4.9 years up to 7 years

preschool/pre-k
NURSERY SCHOOL

Children in Preschool/Pre-K are using their verbal expression and communication abilities to explore new social situations. They are expanding their play skills to include their curiosities and interests and are beginning to make literacy connections throughout the classroom. Children continue to develop their self-help skills as well as responsibility for themselves, their friends and the classroom community. While some children will transition to Pre-K, others will transition directly to kindergarten.

ratio educators to children:

  • 1:10 or 2:20

AGE RANGE:

  • 3 years up to 5 years

k-prep

First Circle’s kindergarten prep program is designed for older preschool learners, age 5 by January 1st, or for those children with summer birthdays who would technically make the kindergarten cutoff but might not be ready. Also known as transitional kindergarten, K-prep provides children with a solid foundation for the academic and social demands of elementary school. K-prep offers a more academically focused approach for those demonstrating readiness. With individualized support for each child’s learning needs, children graduating from the K-prep program can, based on age, go on to kindergarten or first grade.

ratio educators to children:

  • 1:10 or 2:20

AGE RANGE:

  • 5 years up to 7 years

PLAYGROUND

To extend our learning environment, First Circle offers fenced-in playgrounds. Each play yard has age-appropriate play equipment, with large climbing structures, swings, and smaller activity spaces. Children have ample opportunities for running, jumping, pushing/pulling or riding ride-on toys, planting, digging and building, climbing and crawling, swinging (for preschoolers), and creating art on outdoor easels. In the summer months, there is plenty of shaded play space, and water play activities on hot days.

In Needham, we have two indoor large motor playrooms that provide a safe, engaging space for active play, featuring climbing structures, balance beams, tunnels, and open areas for running and jumping. The “big rooms” can be used year-round in all weather!

We believe strongly in creating opportunities for children to engage with the natural world, and may have a classroom garden or areas where children can build with and explore natural materials like sticks, leaves, water and rocks.

Audio + Video Monitoring Policy

At First Circle, we use audio and video monitoring to support quality care, staff training, and the safety of children and adults. Monitoring takes place in most interior and exterior areas of the center (never in bathrooms). Recordings may be saved for a period of time, but not indefinitely, unless required by law. While we make every effort to cover classrooms and common areas, there may be occasional gaps due to system limitations.

Awareness and Consent

All staff and families are informed of our monitoring system and provide consent as a condition of employment or enrollment. Notices are posted in the building, and while there’s no expectation of privacy outside of bathroom areas, recordings are never used in place of direct supervision. Monitoring helps us keep classrooms safe while respecting children’s privacy.

Parent Access

Parents may view the live monitor of their child’s classroom with the Center Director or office staff, similar to looking in through a classroom window. To protect privacy, live-streaming, recording, or duplicating images or audio from the monitors is not allowed.

Access to Recordings

Recordings are property of First Circle. Access is limited to the Center Administration and Executive Team for training, safety, or quality purposes. Parents or others may only view recordings with Center Administration present and with approval from the President, since recordings often include multiple children. Copies are not distributed, except when required for an investigation.

TRANSPORTATION PLAN

In accordance with EEC regulations, First Circle has a written Transportation Plan to ensure the safety and supervision of all children during transport. The plan has three main considerations. First, it describes how children are to be transported to and from the program in emergencies and on field trips. Next, it addresses the safety and supervision of children who walk and who arrive by public transportation, if applicable. Finally, it includes any special arrangements for children with disabilities, which are made in cooperation with the public schools and the family. The full plan is available by request from the director.

TO AND FROM FIRST CIRCLE

Parents are responsible for providing daily transportation for their children to and from First Circle. EEC regulations require that we have written information on file about how children are transported to and from the program, which we record at enrollment and update annually.

FIELD TRIPS

During the summer, we offer preschool children the opportunity to participate in field trips. Transportation is provided by an independent, insured, professional transportation service. Staff members accompany the children at all times. Each child, driver, and attendant are provided suitable restraints or seat belts. Each field trip has an assigned Transportation Coordinator, who confirms children’s emergency contact information, carries a specific cell phone and a first aid kit for emergencies, and provides other emergency needs (i.e. epipens for children with allergies). Additionally, all of our staff members on each vehicle are certified in First Aid and CPR. We maintain or exceed the minimum ratio between teaching staff and children during field trips. Parent chaperones are welcome to ride on the bus with the children if space is available.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

First Circle is open 52 weeks per year, with the exception of holidays. We are dedicated to being open every day possible, since many of our families are working and need our services to be able to do their jobs.

In the event of inclement weather, First Circle will follow the public school closing decisions for the town in which each center is located. If local public schools are closed, delayed, or dismiss early due to weather or other emergency conditions, our center will generally follow the same schedule.

When public schools are not in session, decisions regarding opening, closing, or delays due to severe weather, power outages, or other emergency situations will be made on a case-by-case basis. In making these decisions, we consider both the safety of the children in our care and the safety of our staff, while also trying to provide families with as much notice as possible.

If we must close early, open late, or close for the entire day, we will notify parents via Playground app.

LICENSING

First Circle Learning Centers are licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) to provide care for children from 2 months to 7 years of age. All of our policies and procedures are strictly in keeping with EEC regulations, a copy of which is available to view in the front office. Each First Circle location undergoes extensive re-licensing and review processes every two years and can receive unannounced visits from our licensor at any time.

parents handbook | our school