Early Childhood Education
A full-year early care and education program at our Tunbridge facility, for children from 6 weeks to kindergarten.
Explore Early Childhood Education
Randolph care from 6 weeks to 5 years.
Early Childhood Education at the Orange County Parent Child Center.
Request a visitThe essentials
- Ages
- 6 weeks to 5 years
- Hours
- Schedule: Monday – Friday
A room for every age
Children move up room by room as they grow, from their first weeks through kindergarten.
Children’s Integrated Services
A child meets with a specialist who supports development and learning in the setting they already know.
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Family/Child Home Visits
A home visitor comes to the family's living room, and the child plays and reads with someone familiar.
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Community Playgroups
At the Tunbridge playgroup, children join outdoor play, story time, crafts, songs, and games at the library.
Explore Community PlaygroupsHow we see children
Children here spend much of their day outside. The program is nature-focused, with extensive outdoor activities, and teachers for every age group are highly trained. That matters because outdoor education builds attention, balance, and curiosity that last. The center has been a cornerstone of family support and early childhood education in Central Vermont, and its Meadowlands Campus in Tunbridge has served families throughout Orange and north Windsor Counties for years.
Rooms are set up so children can reach what they need. Low shelves hold blocks, books, and art supplies. A cozy corner gives a quiet place to look at pictures or rest. Teachers plan the day around outdoor time, meals, and stretches of free play, with circles and stories woven in. Children move between indoor and outdoor spaces, and their work is saved and shown.
A visitor notices children outdoors in almost any weather, and teachers who stay close while letting children try things themselves. Staff are required to hold first aid and CPR certification, and to complete required background checks and state-mandated trainings, including Mandated Reporter and Medication Administration. We also bring support into homes and communities, so families can get help where it is convenient and comfortable for them.
What a day looks like
The day starts with a slow arrival — a parent helping a child hang up a coat, a teacher crouching to say good morning, a few minutes to settle at a quiet activity. Young children often need that transition time before they join the room. A familiar comfort item from home can make the drop-off easier.
The middle of the day moves between play and small-group learning, with meals, rest, and outdoor time in between. Children might paint, build, sort, dig, or help set the table. Toddlers and preschoolers are learning to share space and words; infants set their own schedule for feeding and sleeping. The pace stays steady so children know what comes next.
The afternoon slows down with quieter play, a snack, and a last stretch outside before pickup. A teacher tells you what your child did that day — the tower they built, the friend they sat with at lunch, the nap they skipped. That handoff helps you plan the evening. If you have questions, ask; staff can tell you what they saw.
How we work with families
At pickup, teachers tell you what your child did and how the day went, and they ask about your morning. Questions get answered in person, or you can reach out to the director or your child's teacher. The center also offers parent education and information and referral, so families can find help beyond the classroom. We want families to feel they belong here.
The first weeks are handled gently, with a gradual start and a routine that fits your child. Teachers watch how your child settles, and you can ask to stay a little longer on the first days. We meet families where they are, both in the classroom and through home visiting and other supports. If something is not working, tell us — we can adjust.
How to join
- 01
Get in touch
Call (401) 864-2615 or email lindsey@orangecountypcc.org. Tell us your child's age and the days you need. We will talk through what is available and what comes next.
- 02
Tour the room
See the classroom your child would join and meet the teachers who run it. Ask anything you want about the day, the room, or the staff.
- 03
Enroll and settle in
Complete enrollment and plan a first week that suits your child's routine. We will talk through what to bring and how the first days will go.
Good questions to ask first
What are the hours?
Schedule: Monday – Friday.
What ages do you take?
Children from 6 weeks to 5 years.
When can my child start?
Enrollment runs throughout the year. Call (401) 864-2615 to ask about a place.
Can we visit before deciding?
Yes. A tour is how most families decide, and children are welcome to come along.
What should my child bring on the first day?
Families usually pack a change of clothes, diapers if needed, and a comfort item for rest or drop-off. Label everything with your child's name. The center can tell you what else your child's room needs.
Do you offer part-time or flexible schedules?
Schedules depend on your child's age group and what openings we have, so the best answer comes from asking us directly. Call or email with your child's age and the days you need, and we will tell you what is possible.
What if there is no place right now?
You can ask to be told when a place opens for your child's age. We will let you know as soon as one does.