By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough – Phones at the Marlborough Early Childhood Center (MECC) are ringing steadily as parents inquire about enrollment for their children in 2017 classes. The center provides an integrated preschool program serving both special needs and general education students.
Registration documents must be completed and returned to the MECC by Friday, Jan. 20. Applicants will be contacted with an appointment time to bring their preschoolers to the center for pre-administration academic and developmental screening later that month. Both half-day and full-day programs are offered.
Director Andrew Bernabei attributes much of the success of the school to the staff.
“The staff at the ECC is dedicated, knowledgeable, and is 100 percent for the students and families,” he said. “They are the reason the school runs as smoothly as it does. They work very hard and go above and beyond every day. When you walk around the building you often see teachers on the floor engaged with students facilitating play and social interaction.”
Prior to assuming his present position, Bernabei was interim assistant principal at the 1LT Charles W. Whitcomb Middle School. Since 1999, he has also served as a teacher at the Richer, Charles Jaworek and Francis J. Kane elementary schools, as well as a behavior technologist and inclusion specialist.
“The Early Childhood Center has a wonderful Home and School group that meets monthly and does many things for the school,” Bernabei explained. “Among the events they offer are the Scarecrow Festival, March Madness and an ice cream social. These events allow parents an opportunity to attend with their children and interact with other MECC families in a safe and comfortable environment.”
There are two Monday through Thursday full-day programs (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) with a tuition fee of $3,400. Half-day programs run Monday through Thursday (9-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-3 p.m.) at a tuition rate of $2,300. Due to space and enrollment constraints, the MECC uses a lottery system for admitting students into the school. Monthly tours are held for parents looking to enroll their child. For information on the tours or the community screening day Thursday, Jan. 26, contact the office at 508-460-3503.
