First Start Children's Center

First Start Children's Center Calendar

About Us

Welcome to First Start Children’s Center. We offer programs for infants, toddlers and preschoolers, as well as an after-school program and school-age summer camp programs. Numerous activities are included in these programs to keep your child interested in social and academic pursuits. NH Bureau of Child Care Licensing monitors and requires qualifications for staff in licensed programs. Our highly skilled and experienced team cares for the children we serve and strives to partner with parents in providing the best experiences in early education. We take pride in offering a friendly, safe, and loving environment that fosters independence, enhances self-concepts, and values individuality.

Every year, we provide services to over 200 children from the Concord region. We have a huge cafeteria and large air-conditioned classrooms to provide ample exploration, meals, activities and gross motor play.  The NH Department of Education sponsors the NH Child and Adult Care Food Program, in which the center takes part. A full-time cook/CACFP Coordinator supports the full-service meals (breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack) while adhering to food safety and sanitation procedures, balanced nutrition and variety of home cooked and commodities menus. All children are provided opportunities to join in classroom meals and experiences while in attendance. The nutritional recommendations made by the NH Department of Education Bureau of Food and Nutrition are taken into consideration when creating our menus and we accommodate allergies when applicable.

Also, there are two age-appropriate playgrounds (infant/toddler and preschool). These “outdoor classrooms” provide a secure setting for children to practice their gross motor abilities, explore in nature, be creative and learn about socially appropriate responses. Our playgrounds have a kid-safe surface that reduces the force of falls by acting as a “cushion.” There are many of options for students to enjoy the great outdoors, including the climbing dome, sand boxes with shade cover, slides, crawling tunnels, monkey bars, and bike area. The center also enjoys the added benefits of Garrison Park, for our school age students and summer program.

Special thanks to the generous support of the United Way and a contract with the State of New Hampshire Development Bureau, we are able to process scholarship assistance for low- and moderate-income families enabling them to receive quality care at an affordable tuition rate at our school. 

Philosophy

Our philosophy is based on the premise that children learn most effectively through structured play and social experiences. We believe that child-centered and teacher-guided curriculum work best when carefully integrated into the daily routine. Each program’s curriculum is designed to offer the children many activities, carefully planned to serve their developmental needs. Daily schedules consist of a combination of structured and free-time activities centered on a particular theme or concept and designed to promote gross and fine motor skills, problem solving, communication and language development, as well as social and self-help skills. We are a Pyramid Model Implementation Site supporting the emotional regulation skills and role modeling of appropriate social behavior. 

We believe in partnering with parents (you know your child best) and we vision development with a roots and wings philosophy that recognizes that as children grow they need strong roots to survive and flourish. As we plant opportunities that support the whole child, (social, emotional, intellectual, physical, and spiritual- representing the possibility of a beingness) through experiences that offer learning and growth, they deepen the roots of understanding, compassion, knowledge/wisdom and health. As these roots develop and they master the skills for their particular development we encourage them to spread their wings and fly. This essentially represents the core belief that each child has potential to increase learning and embrace new ideas and experiences with a perspective of joy and excitement rather than fear. Some take more time to flutter and we are here to support them where they are while continuing to see potential and encourage them to step into the next phase of development. This creates a foundation of resilience and strength, acknowledging that no matter where they are, there is always another step. We welcome feedback and recognize that, as humans, we all need grace on occasion and we stand in a solution minded space that with open communication and a desire to hear differing perspectives, we can create a win/win for your child, your family, and our community. 

First Start takes great pride in our staff and their dedication to children. Our teaching teams offer a combined total of over 125 years of experience working with children in a childcare environment. Teachers strive to foster caring and respect for self, others and property while promoting positive behavior. Making the center an enjoyable, safe, nurturing and educational environment is our primary goal. Our Staff Development program affords teachers the opportunity to enhance their teaching credentials and professional strengths through workshops, college courses and conferences. Teachers are certified in Infant and Child CPR and Basic First Aid in addition to the required licensing qualifications for education. We welcome opportunities to train and support interested people in the field as well.