"My child is crazy about all the teachers and is always smiling when we're there for pickup. We couldn't be happier."

“We cannot recommend FSCC more highly. We will be sad when our kids move on.”

“The hours are wonderful for working parents and the tuition is a better deal than anything else in the area.”

“The teachers are the most caring and dedicated we have found anywhere.”

"I wouldn’t send my child anywhere else.”

About Us

First Steps is a privately owned children’s center in Hudson, Massachusetts.

The owners, Mary Ellen Arsenault and her daughter, Nancy Arsenault King, have been life-long residents of Hudson.

We opened our doors in September of 1990. Our intentions were, and continue to be, to provide parents who are looking for childcare a safe, loving, stress-free environment for their young children during the hours that parents need to be at work.

We were conservative in September of 1990 and requested a license from Department of Early Education and Care (DEEC) for 39 children. By December 1st, we were bulging and needed to be re-licensed for 68 children far surpassing our original expectations. Since then, we have added an additional infant room and an additional pre-school (Pre-K).

Location

30 Giasson St, Hudson, MA 01749

Programs

First Steps is a child-centered center. This means that in each classroom the children are offered a variety of activities and the teacher guides the child through each activity. The children learn they have choices within certain limitations.

Our facility is an exciting learning environment, which encourages a child’s natural curiosity and helps make the transition from infancy through early childhood and into their primary stages of development.

The activities chosen are designed to help the child’s social, emotional, and cognitive skills of development. Each of these areas is equally important in developing a well-rounded, socially adjusted child. Activities that provide for progress in each of these developmental areas are the most important aspects of our learning program.

Infant One

We understand how delicate and complex the early stages of life are for an infant. With the health of your child and the cleanliness of their environment our foremost priority, we see to it that your child receives individual care and attention according to his/her needs. Infants are on their own established schedule. In addition to cuddles, lullabies, picture books and gentle praises our teachers are also making sure each child has the ability to experience activities that will help them enhance their physical, language, cognitive, social and emotional skills through activities like story time, music and simple games.

Infant Two

Infants are ready to move into this room when they are crawling or toddling around. The children at this age are curious about their surroundings and we provide a pleasant atmosphere for them. Music, nursery rhymes, songs, sensory tables, dancing, reading, finger play are just some of the activities taking place.

This age is full of exploration and huge growth in language and social skills. Our teachers model language skills and help the children in their rooms learn to express their wants and needs. The teachers foster all development by providing children with all the tools and activities needed to grow and learn in a way that is developmentally appropriate and geared towards each child’s unique personality.

Toddlers

It doesn’t take much to motivate a toddler, but we do try to structure their activities.  The children at this age are active and curious about everything in their surroundings.  We try to fill their moments with childhood wonders while helping them develop a strong sense of self.  Songs, storybooks, puzzles, expressive artwork, finger plays, nursery rhymes, dress-up, stroller rides and fun in the sandbox are all part of their day.  At about 24-27 months, children begin to focus on potty training.  We work with the parents to help the child with their potty training goals.

No child will be pressured into potty training.  Children will become potty trained at their own pace.  Children will transition out of the toddler/two room when they are developmentally ready; being potty trained is not a criterion for moving on to Preschool.

Preschool

At First Steps, we feel a child’s fullest development at any age is the best preparation for the next.  With the teacher’s encouragement, nurturing and understanding, a child will develop a sense of well-being and confidence.  We have specific goals and a curriculum rich with experiences that provide a springboard for learning such as dramatic play, science, counting and beginning math, reciting the alphabet, and beginning letter recognition, language skills, motor skills, manners, and social skills are among the many achievements of our preschoolers.

Pre-K

At First Steps, our Pre-kindergarten is a very special and critical time in a child’s learning as they prepare for their journey to Kindergarten.  It is our goal to make sure that the children In our program have the skills necessary to be prepared for Kindergarten, and that their first experiences with school will be one of excitement and confidence in all that they already know.  In addition to increased focus on language and literacy development, math development and motor development; we will focus on making sure they are socially and emotionally ready for kindergarten.  This social and emotional readiness will enable them to be confident, take on new challenges, communicate both their frustrations and happiness, and have the ability to follow directions and a structured routine.

Our Staff

“A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove, but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a CHILD.”            – Unknown

We are very proud of our staff of professionals at First Steps.  Our staff is dedicated, nurturing and qualified.  We also boast a remarkably low staff turnover rate.

First Steps strives to meet the needs of the children as well as the parents involved in our center.

Want to join the team?  Please send your resume to careers@firststepscc.com for consideration.

Enrollment

The first step in choosing the right childcare for your child is to take a guided tour of the center, to observe the classrooms and teacher-child interactions, and to meet the Director.

Prospective parents should call the school to schedule an appointment.

If an opening is available, parents will complete a Child Care Agreement. This agreement indicates the agreed upon date of enrollment. Parents will also need to pay a non-refundable registration fee. Upon receipt of the application fee and Agreement, your date of enrollment is guaranteed.

First Steps invites newly enrolled children and parents to visit the classroom one morning prior to the child’s first day of school. This is a valuable way for the child to participate in the program and become familiar with the new setting.

If there are no openings at the time of the visit, we invite parents to place their child’s name on our waiting list at no cost. We will call you when space becomes available.