Philosophy
Our goal is to foster each child's
urge to grow. We emphasize the development of a positive self-image
and the self-confidence to try new tasks. We believe that quality,
educational group childcare is a positive and beneficial experience
for children and families. Parents need to feel comfortable, informed
and secure in the care and attention their children are receiving,
and in the skills and values they are developing. Our program is
designed to promote the safety and well being of children at their
various stages of development. We value each child as an individual
and work to provide an environment and experiences that encourage
exploration, discovery and invention. Children are learning about
themselves and their world, whether snuggling in our laps, playing
in the sandbox, listening to a story, cooking together, engaging
in dramatic play, painting, building, running
or climbing. We pay special attention to building self-esteem and
encouraging social relationships. Children learn to express their
feelings, assert themselves, negotiate and resolve conflicts.
History
The Brookline Infant Toddler
Center began in 1977 in a church basement in Brookline Village and
was staffed initially by three teachers and a teacher/director who
served fourteen infants and toddlers. The corporation formed at
the time by parents and teachers functioned as a parent-staff cooperative,
sharing administrative tasks and decisions. Over the years, BITC
expanded to include a preschool room and moved to Chestnut Hill.
After six years in Chestnut Hill, BITC moved again when the BROOKLINE
Public Schools reclaimed our space. In June 1992 BITC reopened in
our present home at 1900 Commonwealth Ave. in the Auburndale section
of Newton.
Also in June of 1992, the BITC community voted unanimously to dissolve
the parent-teacher Board of Directors and to become an affiliate
of James F. Farr, Inc. Farr, Inc. is a private, non-profit educational
corporation which administers four programs: Farr Academy, which
is an academic-therapeutic secondary school program serving behaviorally
disordered, emotionally disturbed and learning disabled youngsters
from Cambridge, Boston, and surrounding communities; Agape Inn,
a respite care facility for multiply handicapped and ill children
from infancy through 21 years; the Children's Center of Wakefield (CCW) and BITC, both developmentally based
educational child care centers for children three months through
kindergarten entry. In joining James F. Farr, Inc, BITC gained administrative
and financial stability, while maintaining the high quality of our
staff and program.
Location
BITC is convenient to Routes 30 and 128, and the Mass Pike, with
public transportation convenient to Waltham, downtown Boston and
the Natick- Framingham area. |