Key Advantages
We believe Bigelow has several key advantages over other area early learning centers: we’re open year-round, with a flexible schedule. Bigelow is open 49 weeks per year, and does not close for summer break or separate summer programs. Children can attend 2, 3, 4 or 5 days per week, 8:30am-3:30pm.
Focus on exercise and development
The children play outside daily, weather permitting, in a variety of settings. In addition to our dedicated outdoor play space, Bigelow is walking distance to several playgrounds, as well as the 5.5-acre woods on the grounds of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Field trips are added on occasion with advanced notice.
Music and movement
Resources for kinesthetic learners are incorporated into daily activities. For example, Bigelow offers music enrichment one time per week with professional musicians to engage the children in music and dance.
About
Our Partners
Hip Kids Music, Movement, Art
In our music classes, kids jam and perform! They learn hands-on, exploring professional instruments grasping music essentials as they play, with talented teachers as role-models. Jammin’ couldn’t be more fun!
About
Our Space
Bigelow’s state of the art facility, conveniently located between Harvard, Porter and Union Squares, is designed with children in mind: Awash with natural light, it features five classrooms, including an infant room, as well as an indoor gross motor space, a library, and a dedicated outdoor play space.
Brown Fenollosa Architects
Ben Gebo Photography
A Child-Centered Environment
Bigelow’s contemporary home was designed first and foremost to be a child-centered environment. There is substantial research on the importance of the physical environment on children’s social, emotional and cognitive development. A child’s physical setting provides numerous learning opportunities. For a child who primarily experiences their environment through their developing senses, everything is to be touched, smelled, manipulated to make sound, and carefully examined. Our space was designed to facilitate such ad hoc educational moments.
Curricular Alignment
Bigelow partners with the City of Somerville to support alignment with Somerville Public Schools’ preschool curriculum, as well as the city’s tuition assistance programs.
About
Our Partners
Somerville Partnership for Young Children (SPYC)
What is SPYC? : The Early Education & Care Department, in collaboration with SomerPromise, runs Somerville Partnership for Young Children, supporting a mixed delivery system by leading a network of early education and care providers to expand access to high-quality preschool and child care for children in Somerville from birth through age 5.
SPYC Vision : We envision an early education system that gives every child an opportunity to develop a love of learning in a nurturing, responsive, and stimulating environment. SPYC believes that supporting local early education programs and uniting as one network with a shared vision will meet the range of needs among children and families in Somerville.