HUDSON — The Hudson Children’s Center, located at 25 Reed Road, celebrated 40 years of being a small business in Hudson on June 23, when an art show featuring work from the children was held.
The playground was transformed into a gallery with monkeys and snakes hanging from the jungle gym, paper robins on the trees and Grogu from “The Mandalorian” among the artwork hung around the fences.
The children sang along with music teacher Alex Andrews while their parents and teachers watched. They were treated to “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from “Toy Story,” and “On Top of Spaghetti,” among other songs.
Sarah Campbell, mother of Connor, 3, said of the art show, “It’s very sweet. The staff are awesome.”
Lauren Grover, whose daughter Evelyn, 4, goes to the center, said the center’s teachers keep the kids engaged and learning.
“The teachers do an amazing job coming up with creative projects,” she said.
Director Robin Shapiro has been at the Hudson Children’s Center since it opened and began as an afternoon supervisor. It was the first childcare center in Hudson, and for 34 years she has served as its director.
Shapiro, who majored in early childhood education and child psychology, said her inspiration for joining the center was that she has always liked working with children.
“It’s just something I’ve always wanted to do,” she said.
The idea of doing an art show was a collaborative one. The event has evolved. The center previously held a spring family breakfast. Parents would come and enjoy coffee and breakfast with their children, which came to include an art show from artwork the kids made at the center.
“The teachers save their art from the beginning of the year,” added Shapiro.
From September to the end of the year, the artwork is displayed all around the playground.
She said, “It’s beautiful. We decorate the playground.”
Another component that has been added is a sing-along with the center’s music teacher, which is why the event was held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
She said the secret to the success of the Hudson Children’s Center for 40 years is the wonderful staff, which provides a “very warm, nurturing atmosphere” that is a cross between a home and a school feeling for the children.
They have had generations of children come to the center as people have grown up there and bring their kids there.
“We’re pretty much one big family,” Shapiro added. “It’s worked for 40 years.”
As they have survived tough economic times and the pandemic, she noted the Hudson Children’s Center is “here to stay.”
