Center-Based Child Care

VOC operates eight child care centers in Holyoke, Chicopee, and South Hadley for children ages 6 weeks to -12 years old. Our goal is to assist parents who are working, in training leading to employment, or have other special needs. We provide a complete education program, meals, opportunities for parent involvement, and after-school care (at Chicopee locations). All Center-Based classrooms are staffed by qualified Early Education teachers.

Each center provides a full schedule of age-appropriate activities that promote child development and learning
Activities include pre-kindergarten literacy, art, science, math, language development, large motor development and social development
Teachers nurture children’s physical, cognitive, language and social-emotional development to ensure they are ready for school
All classrooms follow The Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies GOLD
Nutritious breakfasts, lunches and snacks are served daily
Parents are welcome to visit and encouraged to participate in Center activities
All Centers adhere to standards of the National Association for the Education of Young Children

General Eligibility

Eligibility
For Center-Based Child Care Tuition Assistance (must have one of the following service needs):
- Working 30+ hours
- Attending school part-time (6 credits) and working part-time (total school and work time must add up to at least 30 hours)
- Parent attending postsecondary education full time, or a full-time training program (12 credits)
- Parent attending high school
- Parent of a child with a documented special need
- Parent who is incapacitated
- Grandparent or foster parent who has custody of a child and is seeking to enroll her/him
- We accept vouchers, contracts, and private pay
Transportation
Transportation may be available to participants who:
- Live more than one-half (1/2) mile from the program
- Do not have access to a vehicle
- Do not have access to public transportation
- Have a verified and documented disability/special need that prevents them from transporting their child(ren)
- Have a work schedule that prevents them from transporting their child(ren) to or from care