Mont Marie Child Care Center, Inc., a ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph, is a child care and learning center which provides a safe, supportive and challenging environment. The Center is located in Holyoke and overlooks the Connecticut River Valley. The curriculum is based on the belief that children learn through interaction with the environment. Each day has a planned rhythm with free play, structured activities, outdoor play, lunch, snacks and rest.

Toddler Program
(for ages 15 months to 2 years, 9 months)
This program responds to the individual needs of the child. The program offers exploration and experiences in large and small muscle development as well as providing a variety of self-help skills, consistency and routine.

Preschool Program
(for ages 2 years, 9 months to 4 years, 9 months)
This program facilitates the emotional, intellectual and perceptual motor development of each child. The experiences and activities provided allow the children to explore their identities both as individuals and as members of a group. They are also encouraged to look at their relationship to the environment. The children explore language, large and small motor development and creative movement.

Intergenerational Program
The Child Care Center participates in an intergenerational program with the residents of the Mont Marie Health Care Center. This program brings these two age groups together in a warm, sensitive, comfortable setting.

Child Care Center Schedule:
Hours: 7:00am-5:30pm
Year Round Program

Admission Requirements:
Application fee
Center visit with child
Physical exam and up-to-date immunization

For more information contact:
Eleanor Harrington SSJ, Director
Mont Marie Child Care Center, Inc.
30 Lower Westfield Road
Holyoke, MA 01040-2739

Tel: (413) 536-2964 or 536-0853, ext. 290
Fax: (413) 536-5557
Email: eharrington@ssjspringfield.com

For directions, click here.

Sponsorship Opportunities
Help support the Mont Marie Child Care Center by sponsoring a classroom, scholarship or half-scholarship for one year.  Your tax deductible donation will help provide high quality early-childhood education to children in Holyoke and surrounding communities.  

Scholarship sponsorship - $6,000        

Half-scholarship sponsorship - $3,000

Classroom sponsorship - $1,000    

       What's Happening at the MMCCC?

Things "Zooey" at the Child Care Center Recently
Several four-legged critters and one slithery reptile paid a visit to the Mont Marie Child Care Center in July.  But lest you think that wild animals were roaming the hallways, rest assured that the animals were safely displayed by Teralyn Rizzuto, educational assistant at the Zoo at Forest Park. 

Called Zoo on the Go, the presentations give the children information about the animals’ habitats, behaviors and diets.  The youngsters get a close-up look at the animals and can even touch them if they choose.  

Both toddler and pre-kindergarten classes had a chance to meet “Dozer”, a large African sulcata tortoise, “Cactus Flower” an African pygmy hedgehog, “Pebbles”, a Fennec fox, Smokey, the chinchilla and Simba, the ball python.

While some of the children were delighted and curious, eagerly petting the animals, others choose to observe from the safety of their teachers’ laps.  The zoo has been providing the traveling program for over 20 years.

Young, Old Hands Join to Create Unique Artwork
Stanley Park in Westfield was alive with more than its famous roses on a recent sunny day.  The park was the setting of a unique intergenerational art project involving children from the Mont Marie Child Care Center, residents of the Mont Marie Health Care Center and retired Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield. 

The outing began with a tour of the park’s extensive rose garden, which was followed by the creation of paintings inspired by nature in the park as well as the lyrics of the song “What a Wonderful World.”  The seniors and the pre-schoolers paired up for the painting project, led by retired art teacher Emma Hayward. 

The artwork will help decorate the walls of the Mont Marie Senior Residence, a HUD-funded senior housing facility slated to open in September on the Mont Marie campus in Holyoke.

The event was funded by donations from the Stop & Shop Supermarket Company, King Ward Trailways and Chartpak.

Giant Indoor Tag Sale a Huge Success!
The Child Care Center held its Annual Giant Indoor Tag Sale on Saturday, April 26, and it was giant indeed.  The crowds turned out for this wonderful fund raiser which was held in the gym.  Thanks to all who participated - we hope to see you again next year!

Children Celebrate Thanksgiving with Special Dinner Thanksgiving came a day early at the Mont Marie Child Care Center.  Sitting at a table that stretched the length of the center's gymnasium, the children reenacted the meal shared by the pilgrims and Native Americans hundreds of years ago.  The youngsters prepared for the dinner by creating hats and other props including a giant paper turkey which displayed a list of things for which the children are thankful.

Children Bring Halloween Cheer to Health Care Center
Mont Marie Child Care Center preschoolers paid a Halloween visit to the Mont Marie Health Care Center October 31, parading the hallways and stopping to say "Boo" to residents along the way.  Both groups enjoyed this intergenerational activity as you can see from the smiles in this photo!

 

Playground Makeover from Home Depot Grant, Volunteers
The Playground at the Mont Marie Child Care Center received a makeover September 18 thanks to a $3,000 grant and the hard work of two dozen Home Depot volunteers. 

The project included laying down a truckload of fresh mulch and building and installing awnings over the sandboxes.  The volunteers and a few parents also helped each of the children at the Child Care Center build their own wooden race car.

The money for the project came from the chain’s Community Impact Grant and the labor was provided by employees who volunteered on their day off.  The workers were from the West Springfield, Chicopee, Wilbraham and Westfield stores, as well as the Distribution Center in Westfield.
 

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