West Boylston Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Grant (CFCE) provides a wide variety of free resources, programs, and referral support to maximize positive development in young children. The West Boylston CFCE is an interactive, learning, literacy and engagement program for families with young children (ages 0-8). We offer Parent Support as well as resources/referrals.

The West Boylston CFCE...

• Assists in helping families find EEC (Department of Early Education and Care) Licensed preschool and/or childcare. (see attachment below with list of current licensed EEC providers)
• Offers caregiver and young child early learning programs at the WBCFCE Early Childhood Classroom housed at the First Congregational Church of West Boylston
• Hosts family enrichment programs
• Conducts Kindergarten Transition programs for children in the West Boylston Community.
• Offers a monthly Parent Support/educational group with child care provided
• Offers the free Ages and Stages Questionnaire - an Early Education screening tool..
• Shares information on a wide range of topics related to Early Childhood Development, Parenting, and Community events on our Facebook Page and in our Monthly Newsletters.

WB CFCE Goals

We are a community based resource hub for all families to increase knowledge of and accessibility to high-quality early education and care programs/services.

Promote evidence based education, family engagement and literacy support through activities that:

• recognize parents as their child's first teacher;
• build on family strengths
• bolster parent leadership
• create parental opportunities for mutual support and social connections; and
• build early and family literacy skills

Strengthen family protective factors:

• parental resilience
• social connections
• knowledge of parenting and child development
• concrete support in times of need
• healthy social and emotional development in children. 

LEARN AND PLAY

This is an unique early learning program for young children (birth - 8 years) and their parents/grandparents/guardians/family members to experience together.  We are open during the West Boylston Public Schools Academic year.  We offer some summer programming as well. Learn and Play is held at the First Congregational Church of West Boylston, 26 Central Street, West Boylston, MA and is open to all families in our area with children ages 0-6.

We invite families to sign up for our 6 week sessions using our Google Forms links to participate in our programs.  Programming information will be sent out on a monthly basis through our newsletter.  If you would like to be added please contact us at westboylstoncfce@gmail.com.  

Programming -   WEDNESDAYS @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am Monthly Intergenerational  Learn and Play program is offered on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at the West Boylston Senior Center located at 190 Prescott Street, West Boylston, MA . Each session will include crafts, music and story time.  Our program numbers and regulations are subject to change depending upon COVID-19 policies and protocols. We will make every effort to inform you as changes occur. 

Programming - THURSDAYS @ 10:00 am  - 11:30 am  Weekly Learn and Play Educational Playgroups. Parents/guardians and children are invited to join us for imaginative play, developmentally appropriate, creative art activities, interactive stories, sensory play, music, creative movement, and recess. Our Learn and Play program is offered in 6 week sessions 5 times per school year . Each session will accommodate up to 20 families. Our program numbers and regulations are subject to change depending upon COVID-19 policies and protocols. We will make every effort to inform you as changes occur. 

Programming - THURSDAYS @ 6:00 pm  - 7:00 pm  Monthly Pajama Learn and Play Educational Playgroup is offered on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Parents/guardians and children are invited to join us for imaginative play, developmentally appropriate creative art activities, interactive stories, sensory play, music, creative movement. Each session will accommodate up to 20 families. Our program numbers and regulations are subject to change depending upon COVID-19 policies and protocols. We will make every effort to inform you as changes occur. 

Programming - FRIDAYS  @ 9:30 am - 10:45 am Monthly Coffee and Connection Caregiver program is offered on the 1st Friday of each month at the First Congregational Church West Boylston located at 26 Central Street, West Boylston, MA . Parents and/or caregivers have a chance to talk and connect with other parents, discuss topics relevant to parenting children ages birth through age 8. This is a great place to meet other parents in the community, and learn more about child development, positive discipline, resources for families in our community, and just connect with other adults. LIMITED childcare is available on a first come first serve basis. Pre-registration is required for childcare. Our program numbers and regulations are subject to change depending upon COVID-19 policies and protocols. We will make every effort to inform you as changes occur.

AGES AND STAGES QUESTIONNAIRE (ASQ) The ASQ is a simple tool to help you track your child’s growth & development. This tool is used by many preschools and Early Intervention Programs that, similar to Kindergarten Screening, is a snapshot of your child's current development. The ASQ gives parents the opportunity to monitor their child’s development and ensure they are meeting developmental milestones. The ASQ may find areas of concern, thus allowing us to give you access to resources to address the concerns. Send us an email if you need assistance in filling it out and we can schedule an in person or virtual meeting.  You can also fill out the forms online. Contact Ms. Lisa (westboylstoncfce@gmail.com) with any questions. Please see the information below to access the online ASQ tool.

• Link to English ASQ   - https://www.asqonline.com/family/2c2643      
• Link to Spanish ASQ  - https://www.asqonline.com/family/6c3316

PARENT SUPPORT - Please email Lisa Thompson at westboylstonCFCE@gmail.com  If you are in need of any support. We can offer a listening ear, as well as referrals to local resources. We can help with questions around child development and behavior, support for children and/or families in crisis, questions around special education, early intervention and any concerns you have with your child’s development. We are happy to meet with you in person or over zoom, or chat on the phone or over email/text. We are here for you!

Please contact us at westboylstoncfce@gmail.com with any questions.

Visit us on Facebook -  https://www.facebook.com/WBCFCE

Visit us on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=clintonwestboylstoncfce

Please contact us with any questions.

Lisa Thompson, CFCE Coordinator,  westboylstoncfce@gmail.com 

Pat Hammond, Family Support Specialist, hammondp@clinton.k12.ma.us

Linda Weene - ParentChild+ Coordinator - weenel@clinton.k12.ma.us

ParentChild+ Program

If you are a parent of a 16 month to 4 year old child and live in Clinton/Lancaster or West Boylston, you may be eligible for a special early literacy and language program that will help prepare your child for later school success.

The ParentChild+ Program will send an Early Learning Specialist (ELS) to your home twice a week to meet with you and your child. At the first visit she will drop off a free toy or book (socially distancing) and explain how you can use the book or toy to help your child learn. The second visit will be an outside or remote 30 minute “review” that will include an activity with your child and time for you to ask questions or share concerns.

Your child will keep the free educational toys and books, and the Early Learning Specialist will show you fun ways to help your child learn through play and reading books!

Please contact ParentChild+ Coordinator, Linda Weene, at weenel@clinton.k12.ma.us or at 987-365-4217 if you have questions regarding the program.

WEST BOYLSTON AREA PARTNERS

The members of the West Boylston Early Education Action Council (WeBAC) work together to support optimal development in young children and families, and enhance the effectiveness of local programs to achieve this very important goal. We share resources and information and collaborate on a number of community events

We meet 4 times per year

Our members represent the following community partners:

• Beaman Memorial Public Library
• Child Care Resources
• Clinton ParentChild+ Program
• First Congregational Church of West Boylston
• Next Level Church
• West Boylston CFCE
• West Boylston Family Child Care Providers
• West Boylston Food Pantry
• West Boylston Parks and Recreation
• West Boylston Public Schools
• West Boylston Senior Center
• West Boylston SEPAC
• Early Intervention
• WIC (Women, Children, & Infant Program)

The West Boylston CFCE is funded through a Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) grant from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. We are located in the First Congregational Church of West Boylston, 26 Central Street, West Boylston, MA.