Learn More About the CEEC

Mission

The Center for Early Education and Care (CEEC) has provided quality childcare services to the University community for almost 40 years. This tradition of service is one that we take great pride in and look forward to continuing for many more generations of UMass children and families.

The CEEC is an innovative, high quality, developmentally appropriate early childhood program enabling a richly diverse population of university families to fulfill their academic and work responsibilities, while offering unique educational, research and employment opportunities for university students and faculty.

Vision

The Center for Early Education and Care is a nationally recognized early education program providing affordable high-quality services for university families. We provide children and families of diverse backgrounds a relationship-based, dynamic learning environment in an intentionally designed facility. Using Project Approach curriculum, children’s innate abilities and disposition to learn are cultivated as they develop the foundation of skills to be engaged life-long learners. We share our expertise in the field of early education with families and other educators and work collaboratively in an environment of value and respect. In partnership with campus colleagues, we contribute to student academic and experiential learning and faculty teaching and research.

Values

• Child and Family Centered
  We support each child’s development, build relationships with families, and develop the program to meet family needs.
• Diversity
  We are inclusive of all individuals and families.
• Respect
  We interact in a civil manner which invites and welcomes varying perspectives and experiences.
• Nurture
  We create a safe and welcoming environment which offers support and affection for children, families, and one another.
• Developmental Learning
  We assess the learning stages of children, families, and staff to provide age and skill appropriate curriculum and resources to promote growth and development.
• Community
  We intentionally build individual and collective relationships among children, staff, and families within the classrooms, the center, and the university.

The Center for Early Education and Care (CEEC) strives to develop an appreciation for the richness of diversity which encompasses CEEC families, and to provide an inclusive environment which reflects the diversity of the campus community and the world in which we live. Consistent with university policy, CEEC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information, and any other class of individual protected from discrimination under state or federal law in any aspect of the access to, admission to, or treatment of children and families in its programs and activities, or in employment and application for employment. In addition, when enrolling children in the program, toilet training status in not an eligibility requirement for enrollment.

Office Phone Numbers

Classroom Phone Numbers

Toddler Classrooms

Preschool Classrooms

The Center for Early Education and Care
21 Clubhouse Drive
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003

CEEC is located along the southwest corner of campus between McGuirk Stadium and the softball complex. The CEEC main office is located in the Toddler House and is open 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Driving Directions (Google Maps)