Riverside Children's Center, Inc.

Riverside Children's Center was founded in 1983 by a group of people who saw the need to provide quality child care for families living or working in Newton and its surrounding communities. The Center is a private, non-profit corporation whose purpose is to provide a safe and healthy environment for young children. Beyond physical care, the Center's goal is to create a program which supports the social, emotional and intellectual growth of each child.

We take great pride in our educators and realize that they are the heart and soul of our program. High quality care and education are never compromised at Riverside. Educators give their very best each and every day and it shows! We select educators who are warm and have a teaching style and philosophy that reflects the approach we use at Riverside. Our educators are college-educated childcare professionals with diverse backgrounds and talents.

We are proud of our educators' longevity. Each classroom has at least one educator who has been at Riverside between 17 and 26 plus years. Educators participate in on-going professional development to learn new techniques and to build on their knowledge of early childhood education. They work closely with parents to foster the growth and development of each child. In addition to the classroom educators, two full-time floating educators provide additional coverage as well as continuity of care when educators are sick or on vacation.

Riverside is located at the intersection of Beacon Street and Collins Road in Newton. The center has two beautiful play yards, one for infants and toddlers and one for preschoolers. The neighborhood has playgrounds, parks, and stores that the children enjoy visiting. The location is easily accessible by the green-line T, Route 128, and the Mass Pike.

Riverside is not only a child-centered program; it is a family-centered one. The Center understands that children are best served when parents' needs and concerns are met and addressed, along with the needs of their children. RCC's goal is to provide the best possible program for children and, at the same time, to be a resource and support system to families.

There are several opportunities for parents to become involved in Riverside. Parents may serve as board members or room representatives and they are invited to participate in various activities, including class dinner in the fall, holiday meals, a school picnic in the spring, workshops on family issues, and fundraising events.

The Center is governed by a Board of Directors that includes the Center's director, business manager, educators and parents. All board meetings are open to parents and educators and are posted in advance.