Are you a mother in the I-495 region of Massachusetts looking for support, companionship, or perhaps just some good ideas to help you raise your family while you pursue your career or educational goals?   There’s help close by!

WorkingMom Social Club (WMSC) is a Massachusetts non-profit dedicated to assisting and sustaining mothers and is ready to help you!

Emotional and practical support you can trust

You’ll find a lot of advice online, but how do you know what to trust?  And an online forum does little to provide companionship for parents who feel isolated or overwhelmed juggling childcare, work, and the pandemic.

That’s where being able to connect on an ongoing basis with local women dealing with the same child-rearing and life challenges you face can make a real difference! And you get a chance to socialize your young ones with other children and have some fun for yourself as well. (During the pandemic, WMSC’s playtime get-togethers have been, by necessity, limited.)

Educated professionals here to help you

The women who run WMSC are a high-powered group with diverse backgrounds and professions.

They know what it’s like to care for kids while dealing with work and all of life’s problems – especially in light of the hardship and uncertainty so many are experiencing due to the pandemic.

Events and activities

By focusing on families living in any of the communities in the I-495 area roughly between Milford and Taunton, WMSC seeks to make sure their get-togethers are physically accessible to all members.

You can learn more about WMSC’s activities here. (Note that, during the pandemic, WMSC has shifted most of its events to a virtual format like much of the rest of the world. The plan is to resume in-person events as social distancing restrictions ease.)

Joining WMSC

If you are interested in becoming a member of WMSC, you can join the club using the link at left or embedded in the image below.

If you have questions, please contact WMSC at:

workingmomsocialclub@gmail.com

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Quote from webpage

The following is reproduced from the Active Kids’ webpage:

At ACTIVE KIDS PRESCHOOL, we believe that developing a healthy lifestyle starts early! Our highly qualified educators plan their curriculum to expose your children to socialization and developmentally appropriate activities. Our small class size and friendly, caring environment enhance the process of learning by doing and ultimately creating a positive self-image and independence through accomplished successes. Not only will the children gain basic life skills (putting on own shoes, sharing, problem-solving), but they will be prepared for state standard teaching as well as participating in a swim lesson each week and monthly fitness classes. Active Kids is not just any school; we are THE SCHOOL to start a successful journey through life!

The Active Kids Preschool
The Adirondack Club
800 Chestnut Street
Franklin, MA 02038
(508) 541-1400
Website

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One excellent resource for parents looking for ready access to play groups and robust networking and support resources for moms would be the aptly named MOMS Clubs of Franklin, Massachusetts.

Two MOMS Clubs in Franklin

There are 2 official MOMS Clubs in Franklin: one for the north and one for the south parts of town.

Each club has a roster of active playgroups.  A volunteer at each club will help match you to a play group that is right for your kids.  Playgroups typically get together weekly at members’ homes on a rotating schedule.

South Franklin MOMS Club

The southern Franklin club provides services for residents who live in Franklin’s southerly elementary school districts (Jefferson, Davis Thayer, Oak, Parmenter).  The website gave Emily Dixon as the person to contact for answers to questions about joining the south group: elmdixon@comcast.net

North Franklin MOMS Club

The northern Franklin club serves residents in Franklin’s northerly elementary school districts (Keller and Kennedy). Amy Mosher was cited on the site as the person to contact: apmosher@yahoo.com

Other groups in Franklin, MA

There are other support organizations for parents and children located right in Franklin, Massachusetts.

One such group is:

Franklin Newcomers and Friends

The club stresses it is not just for newcomers and provides members with a wide range of activities for kids and adults as well.  The group invites anyone interested in learning more to attend a meeting or send an email to franklinnewcomers@hotmail.com

Another support network in Franklin for mothers and kids is:

Franklin Moms Meetup

This group is definitely Web 2.0 friendly!  Simply join from the site or from Facebook – $25 per year membership

Other mother and children support groups for Franklin, MA residents

There are other moms’ clubs serving the central and southerns areas of Route 495 that include Franklin in their outreach services:

Mothers & More

As well as this national network with a local chapter operating out of Attleboro, MA:

Mothers of Preschoolers – MOPS

Other resources available to mothers and families in Franklin

Please remember that the many places of worship in Franklin, MA offer a variety of help, guidance and support to parents with young children.

And the Franklin Recreation Department and the YMCA and other sports and country clubs in Franklin  each have  a wonderful array of programs for families.

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Quoting from the school’s webpage concerning the Children’s Center:

The Early Education Program prepares high school students for various careers in working with young children. Through in-depth academic studies in child growth and development, students gain a solid understanding of the early childhood years and a working knowledge of children in this critical stage of their development. Students also receive CPR and First Aid training and certification. Students work directly with preschool children at the Tri-County Children’s Center as well as participate in field-site placement practicums in the community to acquire skills and confidence in teaching. Many graduates of the program elect to continue their education in the field of early childhood education. Other graduates may enter the working world as child care assistants. Outstanding graduates from Tri-County Early Education Program will be considered for certification as a fully qualified teacher in a day care setting through the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. The demand for caring and well-trained child care workers from this program is continuously increasing.

Tri-County Children’s Center
Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical School
147 Pond Street
Franklin, MA  02038
Website

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How Solutions works

Solutions has sessions every school day at each of the elementary schools in Franklin. There are both morning sessions (from 7 AM to the start of the school day) and afternoon sessions (from the end of school to 6 PM). Admittance into the program is on a first come, first served basis.

Introduction to Solutions

You can download a .pdf that gives an overview of the Solutions program in Franklin, Massachusetts by following the hotlink in the image below.

Solutions Extended Day/Enrichment Program
Office – Jefferson Elementary School
628 Washington Street
Franklin, MA 02038
508-613-1772
Website

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The YMCA is set on nearly eight acres in a prime location on Forge Hill Road in Franklin, Massachusetts. The site abuts biking/walking trails and the Franklin State Forest. The Y is just off Interchange 17 of I-495. It is a short drive to Franklin’s Forge Park commuter rail station. You can learn more about the YMCA in Franklin here.

Before-and-after-school programs

The Y’s before-and-after-school programs sync up with the Franklin school day and
include transportation to and from school. The Y says the programs are “state licensed and follow national YMCA school-age guidelines.” Follow the hotlink in the image above to learn more.

Daycare services

The Franklin YMCA provides daycare to young children of all ages, from infants through the toddler years. Follow the hotlink in the image above to learn more.

Preschool

The YMCA in Franklin both a preschool at its Children’s Center. Follow the hotlink in the image above to learn more.

Quoting from the YMCA’s website:

The curriculum for our programs is developed around the interests of the participants. We believe that the children in our care need to have fun after school, making friendships and being active. Through our programming participants will be engaged in activities that are going to teach them important 21st Century Skills such as teamwork, communication, problem solving and creativity. Our programs offer STEM based (Science Technology Engineering and Math) curricula such as iPAD Technology, LEGO Robotics, Rubiks Cube, Engineering Adventures and One Hen. All of these offer fun and engaging experiences for our youth.

The Hockomock Area YMCA
Bernon Family Branch
45 Forge Hill Rd
Franklin, MA 02038
508-528-8708
http://www.hockymca.org

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The facility is located at 838 Upper Union Street in Franklin, Massachusetts. That’s very conveniently located near Interchange 16 of I-495 in Franklin.

Services cover school breaks and vacations

Elemen-Tree House’s before-and-after-school programs align with the school-year in Franklin. It also provides care during school breaks and holidays. Learn more about these services by following the hotlink in the image below:

From the company’s website:

Our Before and After School program consists of a variety of activities designed to enhance the social, emotional, and physical growth of all children. The program provides an environment rich with opportunities, while encouraging socialization through learning and play.  The Elemen-Tree House offers a community based school age program which includes transportation to and from all Franklin schools.  A healthy breakfast and nutritional snack are offered  daily.  Qualified staff members are available to assist in all homework needs.  All staff are certified in CPR and First Aid through the American Red Cross. All teachers are trained and officially recognized through the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care.

Elemen-Tree House
838 Upper Union Street
Franklin, MA 02038
508-541-3998
http://www.elementreehouse.com

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The ECDC serves young children in Franklin of all abilities and developmental stages.  It provides extra resources and services for special-needs children. The Franklin Public Schools offers developmental screenings at no charge to families. These screenings are designed to identify children who may qualify for special education services.

ECDC brochure

A very information brochure describes how ECDC serves young children in Franklin.  Follow the hotlink in the image below to download the brochure.

Here’s an excerpt from the brochure:

Most children participate in our inclusive, or “integrated” preschool model. In these language-based classrooms, children of all ability levels, with and without identified special needs, are taught together in an environment that nurtures peers as partners in learning. Research has proven that linking children of varying ability levels actually enhances the growth and development of all the children. Each of our classrooms maintains a low class size, maxing out at 15, with a Massachusetts certified teacher and at least one qualified educational support professional. In addition, we also have a classroom for children who require an intensive trans-disciplinary, multi-sensory, and total language-based approach. Children who qualify for this intense setting are infused with supportive services and therapies that help stimulate growth and development. It is our goal to include all children in all aspects of our program to the greatest extent possible, creating opportunities for social connections and cooperative learning.

F.X. O’Regan Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC)
224 Oak Street
Franklin, MA 02038
508-541-8166
https://www.franklinps.net/ecdc

The Dean College Children’s Center is located at 144 School Street, Franklin, Massachusetts. (The Center maintains a separate mailing address of 99 Main Street, Franklin.) The Center serves children aged 2.9 to 6 years.

Handbook provides details about the program

To learn more about the Children’s Center, follow the hotlink in the image below to download the Center’s Handbook.

You will note some formatting errors on certain pages in the Handbook.

The following is reproduced from the Handbook:

The Dean College Children’s Center is a fully accredited on-campus early childhood program for area preschoolers, ages 2 years 9 months old through 6 years old.  The program is designed to encourage maximum development of a child’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth.  Teachers have at least a bachelor’s degree in early childhood or a related field and have extensive experience teaching young children. All staff have earned Department of Early Education and Care Preschool Teacher qualification and some have attained the highest preschool teaching credentials offered by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, including Preschool Lead Teacher and Director.

Dean College Children’s Center
99 Main Street
Franklin, MA 02038
508-541-1598
Website

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The school is located on Chestnut Street, close to the Adirondack Club and Franklin’s Meadowlark ball fields.

Handbook provides details about preschool program

Follow the hotlink in the image below to access the Handbook for the Franklin Children’s School in Franklin, MA:

Excerpting from the Handbook:

Here at FCS, we believe that all preschool children learn best through play. Each child is nurtured as an individual and is given the opportunity, support, and encouragement to develop at his or her own pace. Our classrooms are center-based, offering developmentally appropriate activities that are available throughout the day for independent selection and choice. Our qualified, caring, and enthusiastic teachers are committed to fostering the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth of each child in a nurturing, secure, and fun preschool environment.

MetroWest Medical Center, MetroWest Physician Services
435 King Street, Franklin, MA 02038
Franklin, MA 02038
(508) 553-3275
Website

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