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455 Island Pond Road, Springfield, MA

413-732-2182

About

Make Way For Ducklings, Inc.

Our Program

At Make Way for Ducklings we value the lives of children as we know you value their learning experiences. We work to help each child in an enthusiastic atmosphere to promote their individual needs of cognitive, emotional, physical and social development.

We offer a 2 day (Tue/Thurs), 3 day (Mon/Wed/Fri) or 5 day program with drop off and pick up times varying from 7:30am to 4:30pm. We have a rolling admission accepting children under the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care regulations starting at the age of 15 months through the age of 5.

Goals

Our aim at Make Way for Ducklings is three-fold:

Objectives

These objectives are important planning tools in defining and implementing our curriculum. They relate to the development, motivation and self activation of children.

Make Way for Ducklings

Opened in 1981 under the directorship of Ann DeNucci Rogalski. For over 40 years MWFD has served as a pillar in the Western Mass. Community and has continually set the standard for quality early education and care. The program continues under the directorship of Rachel Szlachetka, adding over 20 years of professional experience in the field of early education. Rachel holds a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Westfield State University and has extensive experience in the early education field, including, but not limited to infant/ toddler care, preschool, pre-kindergarten, and kindergarten education, as well as early intervention.

Philosophy

MWFD philosophy is to foster each child's development to his or her full potential: cognitively, emotionally, physically, and socially. This goal is accomplished by providing a warm and stimulating environment in which children can learn and grow. At MWFD we help children build self-esteem as they learn to exercise self-control, and to interact with their peers and teachers, both as individuals and in group situations. Hands-on experiences are provided in and out of the classroom. The enriched curriculum includes field trips and special programming in the areas of physical education and music.

Testimonials

Caring Personal Experience

I thank you so much for the years of caring and personal experiences that have made my children feel safe, loved and happy to go to school! Your attentiveness has truly meant so much to us.

Brooke

Extraordinary and Professional

The Entire Group of Staff Members are Extraordinary. The Professionalism and sensitivity with the kids is wonderful! Thank you for all you do!

Matt

Outstanding!

Outstanding! Couldn’t say enough good things about MWFD!! Thank you for all you do and I recommend MWFD to everyone in the area!!

Jessica

Thankful

Words can’t describe how thankful we are for all that Ducklings has done for our children and family You have all been instrumental in helping them become the children they are. We will always be thankful and remember our time with you fondly! Thank you Thank you Thank you!

Nicole and Erin

Positive Experience

As a third year parent of children that attended Make Way for Ducklings, I am continually impressed by the hard work and dedication of all the staff members. I’m very grateful that my children have had such a positive preschool experience.

Angela

Hard Work and Dedication

Thank you to all the staff for their hard work and dedication to making this program the best for our kids. Ms. Pat has made it easy for Will to transition and excited to learn. All of the staff care about all of the kids and it shows. Thankful to Miss Pat, Miss Ann, Miss Robin for help with Will’s migraines and accidents.

Danielle

Special Activities

I cannot say enough about all the special activities that take place at MWFD. All holidays are celebrated with fun activities and special treats that are made or brought in to celebrate. I applaud the school for the lack of technology and the emphasis on playing outside whenever possible. There is such a saturation of screens and it is a breath of fresh air to see the kids outside playing and being kids.The focus on kindness is wonderful as it can be a lost virtue with the rise in communicating with a device and not face to face. Raising kids to be kind humans is such an important thing and the more they can learn about how to be kind, the better off our world will be.Our family just loves all of the staff at MWFD and each staff member is so kind and loving. I could not think of a better environment for my child to be immersed in every day while learning and building her foundation of knowledge. Keep up the amazing work!

Stephanie

Ducklings Community

You are doing a great job! I can see that you haven’t lost your touch over the past 6 years. So glad that #3 can be a part of Ducklings community!Everyone has gone out of their way to make my daughter feel welcome. She started (mid-year)-thank you! Special thanks to Ms. Kim, Ms. Leona and Ms. Elyse!

Jessica

Rory

We are so happy that Rory is at MWFD. It is definitely the right place for him. The staff has been so wonderful, friendly and nurturing. He has made some nice friends and is very happy. Miss Karen is the perfect fit for Rory.

Meaghan

Great Staff

The Staff is GREAT! The ladies have a lot of patience with my little one.

Bianca

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