Reggio-Inspired

​Play-Based Emergent Curriculum

Cooperative Early Childhood Program
We are a progressive early childhood education center with a Reggio-inspired play-based philosophy. Relationships are at the center of our work with young children, their families, and one another. We are within walking distance of multiple public parks and green spaces in Watertown and Cambridge.

We envision educational communities in which each child, faculty member, and caregiver is inspired to be both teacher and learner.

​​Registration is NOW OPEN for Summer at TFC 2026!

Our School Year Program
Apply today for
the current school year.
​We have immediate openings for children between 20 months and 3 years old.
Our school-year program operates from
late August through mid-June, ​
​Monday to Friday from 7:15am - 4:15pm.

An optional Extended Day program is available Monday through Friday from 4:15pm-5:30pm

​Our classroom age ranges are generally as follows:
(varies year to year, dependent on birthdates of those enrolled)
​
Sequoia: 2 months - 12 months
Magnolia: 12 months - 18 months
Willow: 18 months - 24 months
Maple: 2-3 years
Chestnut: 3-5 years
​
  • The children in each classroom remain with their cohort for the duration of the school year.
  • TFC faculty work closely with infant families to create individualized feeding plans and individualized sleep schedules. We welcome breastfeeding parent visits. 
  • Children bring a lunch from home each day. Snacks are provided by families on a rotating schedule as part of the co-op participation, which allows us to share a "family style" snack twice daily in each classroom. We offer a variety of tastes and textures, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, proteins, and baked goods.
  • Our indoor spaces are designed to provide natural light through windows and skylights, while windows between classrooms allow for cross-classroom connections. Our learning focus is also on providing materials that invite children to look into other cultures (windows), and materials that reflect their own identity and experiences back into the classroom (mirrors). Each space in our school is designed to be flexible. Our environment can move and change to meet the needs of each child. 
  • Every aspect of our curriculum is inspired by the inquiry and interests of the children. The role of our experienced faculty is to empower our young learners by providing materials and provocations. Materials are designed to be open-ended and inviting, spark curiosity, and act as an invitation to investigate a concept. 
  • Sensory exploration is built into each day through baking, playdough, sand tables, water play, large motor opportunities, and quiet spaces.​​
TFC is a tree nut, sesame, and shellfish-free environment (2025-2026)

Outdoor Learning is at our Core

We believe that our outdoor spaces are an extension of our classrooms. Therefore, exploration of our outdoor spaces occurs at TFC in all types of weather.  Our teachers facilitate wildlife observations, sensory experiences in mud, scarf play on windy days, and puddle jumping after rain. Only extreme temperatures restrict our daily plan of outdoor play.

Our location on Kondazian Street offers endless walkable destinations! Whether we travel by stroller or on foot, we explore local parks like Filippello Playground, Sullivan Playground and Arsenal Park. Classrooms of all ages visit a local community greenhouse, The Watertown-Cambridge Greenway, Little Free Libraries, local bakeries, soccer fields, and basketball courts.
TFC is a A Safe Space, a welcoming, non-judgmental environment where people can feel accepted and supported. It’s a place to be authentic without fear. 

Visiting The Family Cooperative

Parking:

Entering Our Building:
We have a small parking lot across from our entrance. Street parking is also available along Kondazian Street.
Look for our painted patio door. Enter the patio and walk toward the building. Ring the doorbell to the left of the green door. An educator will be there soon to greet you and welcome you into our space.
Our Little Free Library is located on the sidewalk in front of our building.
​The community is welcome to visit anytime!

Our Little Free Library Project

Our Little Free Library Installation Celebration
​​May 2021
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In 2021, our Chestnut class spent extra time outside visiting Little Free Libraries with their families during Covid. Once school reopened, their curiosity surrounding Little Free Libraries prompted a classroom project. They studied libraries in our area, drew pictures of what type of library they wanted, used real tools to build a library, and painted the library before it was installed at our original location.  When we relocated to our current space, our library relocated as well. In the spring of 2021, we presented our Little Free Library to Bonnie Ryan. Bonnie has dedicated many years to TFC as a teacher, substitute, mentor, and friend. 
It is our hope that former students always have a place to visit, and that our Little Free Library is a place where we can continually connect as a community.