You are invited to complete the AGES & STAGES PARENT QUESTIONNAIRE to learn more about your child's development. A great time to observe and reflect what your child is doing at different ages and learn about each stage. After you complete the questionnaire, we will review the information about your child's development with you, share handouts to further enhance their growth, and provide you with a copy of the completed questionnaire.

OPENINGS AVAILABLE!

Did you know Early Childhood Alliance of Framingham (ECAF) is the home for your local ParentChild+ program? Our program offers home visits for families with young children age 16 months to 36 months right here in Framingham for two years! The ParentChild+ Program will help your family in your role as your child's first and most important teacher. Our Early Learning Specialists share fun ways to help your child learn at home with free books and toys! We envision a world where every child enters school ready to succeed because every parent has the knowledge, skills, and resources to build school readiness where it starts: the home!

Throughout the 23 week school year, an Early Learning Specialist brings each week a gift of a high quality educational toy and book for your child to keep. Visits are 30 minutes long twice a week and can be scheduled at your convenience, day or early evening. You'll learn creative ways to read and play with your child and become actively involved in your child's education. We work together to ensure language isn't a barrier. There is NO COST!

So if you are a family who lives in Framingham with a child 16-36 months or know someone who you think may be interested, contact us at 508-782-6932 or email jdehaven@framingham.k12.ma.us for more information.

NEW! We now offer the ParentChild+ Family Child Care Educator Model for caregivers who take care of children in their home. Click here to complete the Family Child Care Interest Form. To learn more about the ParentChild+ Family Child Care Model, click here.

To learn more about the internationally recognized home visitation program, CLICK HERE!

• We have one spot in the the ParentChild+ Home Based Child Care program for those educators/providers caring for children in their home whether licensed for family child care, a foster parent, or a babysitter. A short term program that supports the home based provider, and, the children, and families served in this setting. Free early learning materials, coaching, and more are offered by a seasoned Early Learning Specialist. Start in September and end in November.
• Save the Date: 1st Leadership Council meeting October 25th at 10:00 at the Framingham Public Library. Are you a parent of a young child who would be interested in learning more about the Early Childhood Leadership Council? Contact us and we will connect you to alumni parents who can share their experience on the council or Family Action Team.

The Framingham Public Library has a full September schedule of activities.

Click here to learn more.

Programs are FREE and inclusive!

So many programs at our local library!

The ECAF updated the ECAF Resource Guide For Early Childhood has a new look and is now available. This guide is comprehensive and filled with information on understanding how to find the type of early childhood program that is a good match for your family and provides a listing of Framingham area programs. It even has a family roadmap! Included in the booklet is a map of the Framingham Public Schools, a listing of school contact information, and helpful tips for getting ready for school. There is a listing of parks, and an extensive list of helpful community resources. A quick click here will take you to this useful guide that comes in three languages and is conveniently located on the ECAF website. For even more helpful resources beyond the early childhood world, click here.

We will try to offer a road map stopping and exploring common grounds, celebrating developmental milestones, sharing inevitable pitfalls, and refueling with the energy that keeps us moving. These sources or tools advance our knowledge and provide us with more information allowing us to anticipate what may be ahead and plan our travels into Parenthood and Early Education accordingly. Let’s call it a guidebook that leads us through the parenting journey , not alone, but together as the journey can sometimes be lonely and it is always more fun when we have others join us, and, it’s easier to reach our destination safely. No matter how many stops or bumps along the way, we aim to ensure future opportunities for successful excursions.

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR 1ST STOP ON OUR ROADTRIP: DIALOGIC READING

PEER & CROWD TIP SHEETS

To experience more of the ECAF signature programs, click here to visit our virtual home filled with lots of learning created by the ECAF team.

Join us for prerecorded programs with Mae, Maya, and Mateo from Raising Emerging Bilinguals where not only is there a storytime in Spanish, but important conversations shared in Mae's blog. Additionally, Vera delights us with stories read in Portuguese. So much culture shared in these short storytimes. Our friends who provide bilingual opportunities enrich the joy of reading for all young children. If you would like to share a story or activity in your home language, send us a link.

Raising Emerging Bilinguals Thank you Mae, Maya, and Mateo for sharing stories and important conversations with the ECAF family!

• Storytime Bilingüe featuring “Besitos y abrazos” y "Numeros Numbers"

• Storytime Bilingüe featuring “Baby Teeth/Dientes de bebe”
• Storytime Bilingüe featuring “This Bug Needs a Boat/Esta oruga necesita un barco”
• Storytime Bilingüe featuring “Los bebes aman/ Babies Love”

Storytime with Vera

• STORY TIME IN PORTUGUESE - "Vamos à caça de um Urso" (We're Going On a Bear Hunt)
• STORY TIME IN PORTUGUESE - "O Sapo Vai ao Médico"

Visit Framingham Public Library's website and learn more about children and adult offerings.

A place where families can find more resources, build connections, and participate in parent support groups. They offer a variety of support groups for fathers, grandparents, youth, and more. Click here to learn more about Wayside Youth and Family Support Network.

EC 101 is a phenomenal website filled with helpful resources and information. Also, you can help us broaden the community of early childhood champions. Share this brief video with your networks. Use the EC 101 tool to engage them in conversations about how they can support young children’s healthy growth and development.

Remember to prepare your child for school. It helps with making a smooth transition. Here are a few tips from PBS Kids for Parents.

Did you know you can receive a FREE In Kindergarten Booklet through the Early Childhood Alliance of Framingham or click on this link to read the book online in English, Spanish, or Portuguese? This booklet helps you and your child transition to Kindergarten!

WGBH has an array of learning resources for the 3-8 year old. Click below to enjoy these educational programs.
WGBH Family Fun Activities and More

A great resource for families who have questions and need help and assistance navigating transitions, rights, special education placements, Individual Educational Plans, and more. Click here for additional information

Outdoor RX offers families programs that involve nature and education using your natural environment. Click the picture and see more information about their programs.

Virtual Program 1: Bark Rubbing

Virtual Program 2: Nature Bracelets

• A more inclusive list of community resources at your fingertips
• City of Framingham Resources - click the link to access the City of Framingham website. There is helpful information and resources for residents as well as the latest updates on the CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

• An important creative and family friendly educational message about wearing masks

• Massachusetts Home Visiting Initiative Comprehensive list of resources
  
• MASS 211 need help call the multilingual hotline 24/7 to access resources at: 1-877-211-6277
• Social Story What Nathan and His Friends Can Do English Spanish Portuguese
  
• Hello I Am A Virus! A kid-friendly booklet about COVID-19. Author: Manuela Molina Cruz
  English - Spanish - Portuguese - Arabic
• Free From Audible Books - Children's Stories