About Us
Our Center at a Glance
Welcome to First Start Children’s Center, a program of Second Start offering care to children 6 weeks to 10 years, during the school year, and 6 weeks to 12 years of age during our Summer Program. Originally founded to provide quality care for Second Start’s adult education students, we now serve more than 200 children each year from the greater Concord area.ent of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Child Care Licensing. The center participates in the NH Child and Adult Care Food Program sponsored by the NH Department of Education. Our eat-in cafeteria has a full service kitchen staffed by a full time kitchen manager who prepa
Our large, open, air conditioned classrooms, spacious cafeteria and two new, separate, age-appropriate playgrounds are licensed by the NH Departmres breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack for all our children. Our menus are planned according to the dietary guidelines set by the NH Department of Education Bureau of Food and Nutrition and provide all the necessary components needed to make a well-balanced and nutritious diet.
Through 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.
First Start has programs for infants, toddlers and preschoolers, as well as an after-school program and a school-age summer camp program. Our center provides a warm, nurturing and safe atmosphere where self-concepts are enhanced, independence encouraged and individuality is respected.
Our fully equipped playgrounds were designed specifically for infant/mini/toddlers and preschoolers and updated in 2017. These “outdoor classrooms” give children the space to develop gross motor skills in a safe environment. Our playgrounds offer a child safety surface designed to minimize impact from falls by providing a “cushion.” The climbing dome, sand boxes with shade cover, slides, crawling tunnels, monkey bars and bike area offer kids many opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors.
The center also enjoys the added benefits of Garrison Park, a City of Concord recreational park, for our school age students. There is also a fenced-in, in-ground pool with certified lifeguards. During the summer, private swimming lessons are included in the tuition for Rainbow Room and Summer Program students through the Concord Parks & Recreation Program.
Contact First Start Children's Center
Contact
17 Knight Street
Concord, NH 03301
(Phone) 603-228-1341
(Fax) 603-228-3852
Center Director: Sally Wood, ext. 4203
Center Coordinator: Heather Tobine, ext. 4217
You’ve been central to our family for so many years I can’t even write this without some tears. You’ve helped our children be loving and strong. You’ve helped to teach them right from wrong. You’ve offered them chances to learn and to grow. You’ve steadied us as parents, and helped us to know that together we’ve loved and shared these children of ours.
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-directed 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.
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.