Our vision is of a welcoming community for families and professionals that provides comprehensive resources and support for the healthy growth and development of our children.

Child/Caregiver Playgroups 

• Play, Learn, and Grow Together – an hour spent building your child’s social skills and language development through play, songs, and stories.
• Read Together – An opportunity to learn English through play and children’s stories.
• Music & Movement Together – a movement class experience to get you and your children moving, stretching and exercising.
• Let's Go to Kindergarten - a micro-school readiness experience for 4 and 5 year olds who are without a full time preschool experience. 
• Dads & Donuts – a story time to meet other parents with young children held on the 1st Saturday of the Month.
• All groups are for both child and parent/caregiver.

Family Support & Education

• ParentChild+ Home Program – an early literacy home visitation program for families with children ages 18 months – 3 years old.
• Family Education "Passport to Parenting" Workshops - presented by a child development facilitator on topics such as child development, language & literacy, transitioning to new school, etc.   Child activity is provided while parents attend workshops.
• "Hot Topic" Play, Learn & Grow Together - a special group discussion time for parents while their child goes off to another room to engage in  early learning activities.
• Help Me Grow Project - an opportunity to ask questions about how your child is growing and learning with a Help Me Grow educator. Everyone who participates will receive learning activities that you and your child can do together at home.
• Parents Helping Parents Support Groups – a place to talk about your parenting and family stresses with other parents and caregivers.  Meetings are held every Monday at 6:30 p.m. One in English and one in Portuguese. Childcare provided!

Resource and Referrals

• Transition Support – connecting your family to early intervention, preschool, kindergarten, special education, and out-of-school time.
• KinderWait Entry – assistance in accessing financial assistance for child care
• Resource Guide for Early Childhood – inside this booklet you will find information on choosing child care, child care programs and preschools, preparing your child for Kindergarten, and helpful community resources.

Leadership Opportunities

• ECAF Leadership Council - Parents, community organization representatives, and early childhood educators meet to discuss program initiatives and set the direction for ECAF activities.
• Action Team Involvement – Members participate in defining tasks for specific program activities such as community outreach, volunteer recruitment, marketing, and fundraising.

HOME VISITING IN THE VIRTUAL WORLD!

 

Did you know about our other menu items?

• The ParentChild+ Home Visitation Program is for eligible families who have children between the ages of 18 and 36 months and may not be ready to share in a group experience. 
  To learn more about this program, contact us at 508-782-6932. 
• Ages and Stages Parent Questionairre - an opportunity to learn more about your child's overall development.
  Contact us for more information.
• Need a resource or referral, just call or e-mail us and we can try to assist you or contact MASS 211.

For more activities, go to the Brain Building in Progress website to find out about more statewide programs.

Another great resource to explore is the Resources for Early Learning website?  Great brain building ideas for families and educators alike. Go to www.resourcesforearlylearning.org

The Family and Community Engagement Grant (CFCE) funded by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) is a program initiative to encourage the early childhood community to build collaboration and to streamline programs that naturally work well together.   

In 1993, the Community Partnership for Children (CPC) council was established. Through this partnership, the roots were formed in addressing the mission of providing leadership at the local level to promote quality early learning experiences for young children and their families. Through the CFCE EEC grant funding received in 2015, the ECAF assisted the MetroWest YMCA in establishing another CFCE Site in Ashland. In July 2017, that program was since expanded to Holliston and Hopkinton and is known as Project ABC. 

Collaborating partners include: the Framingham Public Schools, early childhood program providers and educators, community agencies, advocacy organizations and families.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact the Special Education Department at 508-626-9123. If your child is offered or receives special education services, review this Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) Flowchart to help you understand the process and service.  

PREPARING FOR KINDERGARTEN SUMMER PROGRAM SURVEY (only for families currently NOT in preschool program)
If your child is entering Kindergarten in the Fall and is NOT in a preschool or early education program outside the home, and you are interested in a possible pre-kindergarten experience prior to entering school that will provide school readiness opportunities, please complete the survey below.

English 
Spanish
Portuguese

ECAF offers a weekly virtual "Let's Go to Kindergarten" parent-child group. This group is designed to prepare you and your child for kindergarten with a curriculum focused on school readiness skills.  For more information: 508-782-6932 or jdehaven@framingham.k12.ma.us.