The Enrichment-Playgroup is a group of families that come together every Tuesday afternoon for enrichment activities and play. Parents only need to attend when it is one of their five assigned days to co-facilitate. 

Depending on the Co-facilitators' choice, we will plan specific enrichment activities for the day. We also encourage time for unstructured play. 

An example schedule could be:

2:30 - 3:30 Unstructured play outdoors and in the classroom while children arrive

3:30 - 5:00 Arts & Craft Activity

5:00 - 5:30 Music and dancing / Group games like freeze-tag

Alternatively, the co-facilitators could split up into two groups, allowing the children to shift between spaces as they like:

2:30 - 5:30 Unstructured outdoor play  OR  Arts & Craft Activity in the classroom

The specific schedule is flexible as long as it aligns with the goal of providing enrichment and unstructured time to play. 

Parents do!

Mickey (or Joe as a substitute) will be present at every Tuesday playgroup. The second co-facilitator will be a parent from a participating family.  Each family is expected to co-facilitate five different Tuesday playgroups throughout the year. Family participation is required for us to be considered a homeschool cooperative.

We can have a maximum of  10 children in the playgroup. 

We are serving ages 4 - 6. However, we understand if parents need to bring siblings of other ages.

The group meets on Tuesdays from 2:30 - 5:30 pm. 

Families are requested to drop off between 2:15-2:45 pm and pick up between 5:15-5:30 pm.  However, we can be flexible with drop-off and pick-up times as long as they occur between 2:15 and 5:30 pm. 

It's free. The only cost is your time to volunteer on five Tuesdays. 

We may request donations of arts and crafts supplies.

There's no limit. For example, arts and crafts, music demonstrations and lessons, singing, drawing, dancing, yoga, storytelling, puppet making, etc.

There are a lot of great but simple activities that this age group can enjoy.  If you have a hard time planning a session, Mickey is able to provide support.

Yes and vice-versa. 

The Montessori tutoring block is basically a small group tutoring session following the Montessori method of instruction.

The Montessori curriculum for this age group generally consists of manipulative-based activities that teach core concepts tangibly. This is referred to as "work," but it feels like play to the children. The Montessori teacher will provide lessons to children individually so they master the concept the activity is designed to teach. Once provided with the lesson, the child can self-direct and master activities and concepts at their own pace. The teacher will update the activities available in the classroom periodically. Students aren't tested or given grades like in a traditional classroom. The teacher will observe them as they complete activities and record notes to gauge content mastery. Sample works, such as writing samples, may also be saved.

We will take this approach to create a learning environment. The classroom space will have standard Montessori activities as well as additional activities and educational toys the teacher deems suitable. To comply with Massachusetts tutoring law, the teacher/tutor will focus on a specific subject with each child daily. The teacher will maintain notes for each child to assess mastery and inform lesson planning.

A snack will be prepared and available for the children to consume if they get hungry during the lesson.  

One of the reasons we started this program is because we want to keep up with Massachusetts state standards while still having a farm- and nature-based, child-centered education. 

Our learning environment is designed to teach PreK through 1st-grade standards. Our teacher, Mrs. Chisom, is experienced with teaching this age group's learning standards. Please review these links from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to get a sense of the state expectations:

• Pre-K Learning Standards (Ages 3-5)

• Kindergarten Learning Standards (Ages 5-6)

• 1st Grade Learning Standards (Ages 6-7)

We are especially prioritizing the reading/language arts and math skills. 

The group meets on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8:30 AM until 12:30 PM.

Families are requested to drop-off between 8:15-8:30 am, and pick-up between 12:15-12:30 pm.

Our tutor or lead teacher is Valerie Chisom. Mrs. Chisom is a dedicated teacher with a Masters's degree and over 30 years of experience in education. She has held state certifications from New Jersey in both elementary education (Nursery through Grade 8) and special education (Kindergarten through Grade 12, including gifted education). She is also trained as a reading teacher by the Phono-Graphix Reading Association.

Mrs. Chisom has taught everything from preschool to grade 12. Her teaching experiences include classroom teaching, being a district coordinator for social studies (K-5), teaching classes in a homeschool science co-op, and vast tutoring experience. As a professional K-12 tutor, she has been intimately involved in the educational journey of countless students across the Berkshires.

While loving education in general, Mrs. Chisom is most passionate about early childhood education because it provides the foundation for all future education. Her teaching style is eclectic, with a heavy inclusion of Montessori. Most significantly, she believes in meeting the individual needs of her students as much as possible. Her multifaceted background has afforded her insights into diverse learning styles, needs, and aspirations.

When Mrs. Chisom is not teaching, she enjoys her other passions, which include spending time with her daughter, sharing financial literacy/personal finance information, exploring the arts, taking walks and socializing with friends, continuing to learn, and hanging out with her Maine Coon cat. 

The cost is $375/week to be paid directly to the tutor. Of this amount, $350 is compensation to the tutor and $25 towards snacks and supplies. 

Unfortunately, we don't have any financial aid available at this time. This program is done completely at cost-- meaning that our family and the other families are each covering our own education costs (tutor fees and/or volunteering time). 

After we become an actual micro-school, we will be better positioned to raise funds for financial aid.

We request that all participating families act in good faith and commit to our program for the full academic year (September-May). If you have a change of heart, please inform us as soon as possible so we can recruit another family. 

There is no penalty for backing out, but we hope you will take the commitment seriously so we avoid situations that make operating this program more difficult for us.

Not during the 2023-2024 school year.

We will take steps to have adequate licensing in place to offer a full school day (~8am-3pm) Monday-Friday as soon as 2024-2025, definitely by Fall 2025. 

We've chosen a "No-to Minimal" Screen policy at Aya Children's House. This means we aim for no screens, but we accept that most families will occasionally resort to screens, so we share guidance on preferred video media. 

This policy is founded on the belief that these formative years are best spent engaging with the real world, cultivating essential skills, and fostering a healthy relationship with technology. There are so many benefits to eliminating screen time at this young age:

1. Holistic Development: Early childhood is a crucial phase for comprehensive growth. A No-Screen policy enables us to nurture vital skills such as creativity, problem-solving, social interaction, and physical activity. These skills lay the foundation for lifelong learning.

2. Cognitive and Emotional Health: Screens can potentially impede cognitive and emotional development when overused. Opting for real-world experiences promotes active exploration and cognitive functions, fostering healthier growth.

3. Healthy Learning Environment: A No-Screen policy eliminates exposure to harmful content that could shape negative biases and behaviors. Instead, we cultivate an inclusive atmosphere encouraging positive values and respectful interactions.

4. Language and Communication Skills: Face-to-face interactions and conversations are essential for language development. Reducing screen time allows for meaningful interactions, enhancing vocabulary, listening skills, and effective communication.

5. Imagination and Creativity: A screen-free environment fosters imaginative play, creative thinking, and narrative skills. Nurturing these aspects sets the stage for advanced thinking abilities in the future.

6. Quality Family Time: Limiting screens encourages real connections, supporting social bonds, empathy, and emotional intelligence among children, families, and peers.

7. Improved Sleep: Excessive screen time, particularly before bedtime, can disrupt sleep patterns due to blue light emission. A No-Screen policy promotes better sleep quality and overall well-being for your child.

Yet, we recognize that life's demands sometimes call for screen use. We understand that there are situations like sick days, long appointments, travel, or family visits where screens can provide necessary respite. A thoughtful Minimal Screen Policy with pre-vetted, curated content is the next best thing in these instances. (We do not encourage video games or tablets at all for this age group.)

We invite parents to collaborate in curating a list of approved media that aligns with our educational values. These selections transcend mere entertainment. For instance, we may choose shows that promote literacy, explore educational subjects, or facilitate language learning. This approach ensures that valuable learning opportunities are present even during screen time.

By collectively creating a curated media list, we help ensure that screen time remains purposeful and aligned with our educational philosophy. Whether it's a familiar favorite or a new find, you can trust that the media your child engages with has been thoughtfully chosen to contribute positively to their growth and learning journey.

The learning environment consists of the following:

• Barn Classroom - 900 sq ft classroom with bathroom. 

• Yard & Playset - a sectioned-off area where children can play in the yard and on a swingset.

• Greenhouse (Pending) - Our family is setting up a greenhouse that is specifically for students. Before this is set up, they will have access to our farm's veggie greenhouse.

In addition to the above, children may access parts of the farm with adult supervision. This includes our market garden, the chicken yard, and acres of wetlands and meadows ideal for nature walks.

Navigating racial, ethnic, cultural, and gender diversity in our society is a complex journey that deserves our candid attention. In a world where biases often shape perceptions, our approach at Aya Children's House is grounded in a resolute stance against the unjust hierarchies that society imposes.

Recognizing the persistent challenges in dismantling these ingrained biases, we understand that this journey demands both cognitive and emotional labor. It's about challenging the norm and unlearning deeply rooted preconceptions. It's not an easy path, but it's a necessary one.

Our ultimate aspiration is to empower each child to see beyond these constructed barriers and to value themselves and others authentically. As our young learners grow into adults forced to confront the climate crisis, we believe their focus should be on collective well-being rather than being hindered by divisions based on race or gender.

With our students aged 4-6, the potential to nurture an unbiased foundation is profound. We initiate this process by eliminating exposure to negative biases in media, environment, and interactions—aided by our No-Screen policy. At Aya, diversity is integral to every aspect of what we do: our staff, curriculum, stories, and decorations. It's interwoven into our daily routines, from the songs we sing to the foods we share. Our goal is to normalize diversity, creating an environment where each child feels valued, honored, and included.  And to be clear, our focus on marginalized racial and ethnic groups doesn't preclude us from nurturing the healthy racial identity development of all our children, including those of white backgrounds.

In our gender approach, we seek neutrality to enable children to explore the entire spectrum of experiences and expressions. We encourage families to support their children's interests without the confines of traditional gender norms, recognizing that all genders possess valuable skills essential for adulthood. Our mission is to equip our young learners with qualities and characteristics needed for compassionate, well-rounded individuals. 

At Aya Children's House, our commitment to diversity and multiculturalism is unwavering. We believe in fostering an environment where children learn to appreciate one another's unique qualities, celebrating the richness of humanity in all its forms.

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Only the adults listed on our Program Details page and any parents that volunteer to co-facilitate the Enrichment Playgroup. All are required to pass a background check. 

If we have guest teachers or visitors, they are not permitted to be alone with the children, so we will not require a background check. 

No, we are a homeschool coop and tutoring program.

We have contacted the Massachusetts Department of Early Education & Care (EEC) for licensure guidance and we were informed that by limiting our offerings to a homeschool coop and tutoring, we would qualify for exceptions from licensing under the rules for "Programs of an Instructional Nature" and "Informal Cooperative Arrangement."  

All participating families will receive a handbook that explains our licensing status and how we remain compliant with state regulations. Our facilities, ratios, records, etc., are all done according to state regulations for licensed in-home childcare. All those working with children are required to pass a background check. 

The short answer is that we are set up this way to get started as soon as possible while following the law!

Our family's education plans for the 2023-2024 school year fell through after it was too late to enroll anywhere else. We don't have time to complete the microschool licensing process in time for the 2023-2024 year.

However, we realized this is a great way to get started and build community! We aim to pilot our program and build community support with founding families before becoming established as an independent microschool. We set out to design a program that meets our immediate education needs, but remained compliant.

The development of the enrichment playgroup was based on the homeschool coop requirements. A homeschool coop requires that "all parents of the children in care regularly share in direct child care responsibilities."  There are also limitations on what can be paid to those who provide educational services to the coop. We settled on hosting a free, cooperatively facilitated Enrichment-Playgroup on Tuesdays.

We formed the tutoring program because we feel it is important for students to have a consistent, professional teacher. This led to our creation of focused tutoring blocks, three mornings per week. 

We are aiming to be licensed by Fall 2025.

Basically, we'd be able to offer a full-day schedule for more weeks during the school year:

Mondays-Fridays 8am-3pm plus afterschool programming until 5:30pm for a 36-week school year. 

No, but we are in the process of becoming a nonprofit organization.