At the Collaborative for Educational Services’ Early Childhood Department, we understand the importance of giving infants, toddlers, and preschoolers access to the best quality care by parents and other caregivers alike. Research shows that the benefits of healthy brain development through quality education and care in the earliest years of a child’s life lasts well into adulthood. In other words, taking care of our children today is the best way to ensure a prosperous future for all of us. We partner with families, programs, schools, and communities to nurture and honor the individual strengths of children while supporting the people who shepherd them through the critical first five years. 

Our Coordinated Family and Community Engagement programs include: https://www.collaborative.org/youth-and-families/early-childhood-programs/cfce/

• Family Centers and Playgroups for children birth to age 6 and their caregivers in 14 locations
• Puzzle of Parenting Workshops for parents, caregivers and early childhood professionals Transition to Kindergarten resources and activities 
• Welcome Baby visits 
• Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) Developmental Screenings 
• Parent/Child Plus early childhood enrichment home visiting program 
• Seven Local Advisory Councils in order to share needs and resources 

Our programs are funded primarily through grants from Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. 

Our Early Childhood Mental Health programs include: 

Strong Foundations for Young Children (SFYC) 

(SFYC) provides free support through caregiver coaching for families of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers who reside in Hampshire or Franklin County, MA and are seeking social, emotional and behavioural support for their children ages birth through 5. Our goal is to provide and model individualized strategies for parents or caregivers to enhance their children’s social and emotional development. 

Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (ECMHC) 

Through the support of the Massachusetts Department of Early Education And Care, ECMHC provides support to early educators and parents/guardians regarding child development and behavior in the child’s early learning environment. CES Early Childhood Dept. provides these services to EEC licensed childcare, public preschool and family childcare provider programs in Franklin and Hampshire counties. Classroom assessments are also available to support early educators around these areas. The goal of this program is to help early educators and parents/caregivers support healthy social and emotional development for children enrolled in programs supported by the Department of EEC.