About us
The Woods Hole Day Care Cooperative was founded in 1980 by a group of working parents from the Woods Hole area who sought to establish a local daycare for toddlers and preschoolers (21 months – 5 years). The mission was to provide children with a warm, safe, happy, and organized environment, where opportunities for growth and development may occur. This goal remains the vision for our school today and is achieved through collaboration between administrators, teachers, guardians, and our larger community.
Staff work with each family to ensure a peaceful transition from home to school. A balance of play activities - structured or unstructured, informative or creative, active or quiet, observing or participating, alone or together, indoor or out - are provided by the staff that will enhance the child's self-image and encourage a natural curiosity to explore and discover the world. The program stresses three areas of learning: formal planned curriculum, teachable moments, and life skills. The planned curriculum includes shapes, colors, animals, seasons, holidays, and much more. Teachable moments provide opportunities for growth in social and problem-solving skills. Development of life skills fosters the growth of independence and a positive self-image. Our school values family participation and seeks community input to continuously improve our program and best serve the children in our care. We also operate in accordance with guidelines established by the State.
The Coop is licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). Dept. of EEC, 1 Washington St. Ste 20, Taunton, MA 02780. (508) 828-5025. Parents may contact EEC for information regarding the program's regulatory compliance history. The regulations are available to you on line at http://www.mass.gov/edu/government/departments-and-boards/department-of-early-education-and-care.
“The Woods Hole Daycare Cooperative is a truly remarkable place. The WHDCC has provided a safe, nurturing, and joyful environment that has helped my son blossom from a shy toddler into an independent, resilient, and inquisitive preschooler. The sense of community and belonging at the WHDCC is unlike any other daycare I know of (I am a mother of three and moved to the area in 2019). I am continually impressed by the depth of experience, sense of care, and thoughtful patience of the WHDCC's staff: not only have they helped my son to grow but they have taught me to become a better parent as well! Thank you, WHDCC, for giving my family such strong roots.”
— Ana K. 2024
Typical days at the Coop include:
Structured and Free choice Playtime
Nutritious snacks twice daily
Activities including:Arts and Crafts, Cooking and Baking, Story Time, Games, Music, Movement and Dance, Nature Walks, Theme Projects, Outside Play, Rest Time
Throughout the year we plan special extracurricular activities to enrich the children’s experience. Such events include:
Music enrichment with Miss Dawna (biweekly)
Trips to the Woods Hole Library for Story Time (biweekly)
Spanish with Miss Maria (biweekly)
Nature Science with Miss Becky
Yoga with Miss Melissa
Visits from: The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, Mashpee Wampanoag Outreach Program, WHOI, USGS, MBL Outreach Programs
Annual school pictures
Neighborhood visits to: playgrounds, fire station, police station, aquarium, post office, banks, etc.