Our Programs
Conveniently located at 5 Charles Park Road in West Roxbury, we serve families from Dedham and surrounding towns with four NAEYC-accredited preschool programs, each designed to inspire a sense of wonder and exploration at every age. No matter which classroom they’re in, our Happy Day friends learn through play. Music, creative dance, Spanish, yoga, and engaging field trips throughout the year enrich our base curriculum.
Read on to learn more about each classroom.
Toddler/Preschool 1
2-3 years old
- Reading, songs and nursery rhymes
- Caring teacher and child interactions
- Sensory tables, gross motor skills, blocks and dramatic play
- Building routines and relationships
Preschool 2 (P2)
3-4 years old
- Letter, number and name recognition
- Incorporating math concepts into daily activities
- Imaginative, cooperative play
- Learning when to ask for help and how to work through challenges
Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K)
4-5 years old
- Pre-reading skills, phonemic awareness and early writing
- Sorting objects, collecting data, analyzing numbers and shapes
- Sharing feelings and organizing group games
- Managing conflict, posing problems and discovering solutions
Pre-Kindergarten / Kindergarten (Pre-K/K)
4-6 years old
- Phonemic awareness, word blending, building, and decoding
- Counting by 10s
- Specific curriculums that engage curiosity and group play
- Encouraging independence and self-help skills as children prepare for kindergarten
Philosophy & Curriculum
Children’s Happy Day School strongly believes that children benefit most from a child-centered environment designed to promote interaction with other children and adults, while providing both choice and structure for each child. Following the guidelines of the NAEYC, teachers create a curriculum that considers the age of the children, the individual child, and the social and cultural context in which the children live. At our state-of-the-art school near Dedham, children have the opportunity to work in both large and small groups. Play and learning centers—such as block, drama, manipulatives, library, writing, art, and music—enhance the curriculum and allow children ample time to play and develop social skills.
"Enrolling our daughter in Happy Day was the greatest decision we could have made for our family. The teachers, who are full of love and support, work with each child to meet their individual needs and help foster confidence and independence."
-Amelia and David M., West Roxbury
Enrollment
Interested in joining the Happy Day community? Learn more about our admissions process, tuition rates and how to schedule a tour.
Our Community
We often say that parents and caregivers are a child’s first teachers. That perspective is why we work alongside families to support a child’s growth and offer resources during the preschool years.
Our Story
Since 1987, we’ve provided a safe, child-centered environment for Happy Day friends to nurture their sense of wonder and connect with the world around them.