Our Program
The Early Learning Center program is designed for children ages two years, nine months through age five.
Children at the Early Learning Center participate in an inquiry-based program, which means that learning goals are structured around topics of interest that the children wish to pursue in depth. Classroom inquiries range across a variety of disciplines, including science, art, and music, and learning experiences reflect a balance between teacher-directed and child-initiated activities.
Children at the Early Learning Center participate in an inquiry-based program, which means that learning goals are structured around topics of interest that the children wish to pursue in depth. Classroom inquiries range across a variety of disciplines, including science, art, and music, and learning experiences reflect a balance between teacher-directed and child-initiated activities.
Our classrooms are language-rich environments where activities and centers support the development of literacy skills as well as mathematical thinking. Children have numerous opportunities each day to reflect on and explain their thinking processes, to be responsible, to make good choices, and to be positive members of the community. Our curriculum fosters the foundational skills necessary for a successful transition to kindergarten. Upon their child’s completion of the program, families have the option to apply for admission to Fay School’s kindergarten.
Faculty
Our teachers in the Early Learning Center are trained to address the specific developmental needs of preschool-aged children. They design engaging, open-ended learning experiences that stimulate inquiry and provoke the imagination, and they provide frequent opportunities for children to participate in self-selected activities that promote independence and decision-making. Throughout the day, teachers observe the children closely and help them reflect on their learning to facilitate the development of higher-order thinking skills. In addition to their regular classroom teachers, students meet with Fay faculty for special classes (music, art, P.E., world languages, and library) as part of their regular schedule.
Schedule
The ELC runs as a five-day program, Monday through Friday. While the typical school day is from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, we offer an 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM option for families of current Fay students. Morning Care begins as early as 7:00 AM, and Afternoon Care extends to 6:00 PM.
For the 2025-2026 school year, the ELC was open from Tuesday, September 2 through June 5 and closed on major holidays, during winter break, and for professional development days. Click here for our full calendar.
Enrollment during the summer is optional. For Summer 2026, ELC families may opt to enroll their children in FaySummer, which will run June 22 - August 21, 2026. ELC families may also choose to enroll their children in two weeks of ELC summer sessions before and after FaySummer: June 15-18 and August 24-28, 2026.
For the 2025-2026 school year, the ELC was open from Tuesday, September 2 through June 5 and closed on major holidays, during winter break, and for professional development days. Click here for our full calendar.
Enrollment during the summer is optional. For Summer 2026, ELC families may opt to enroll their children in FaySummer, which will run June 22 - August 21, 2026. ELC families may also choose to enroll their children in two weeks of ELC summer sessions before and after FaySummer: June 15-18 and August 24-28, 2026.
Typical Daily Schedule
The rhythm of each day is carefully crafted to make the most of those times when children are at their most active and curious as well as when they need calm, rest, and reflection. A typical daily schedule includes the following activities:
| 7:00 am - 8:45 am | Arrival for AM Care (preparation for the day and indoor activities) |
| 8:45 am - 9:15 am | Arrival |
| 9:15 am - 9:30 am | Morning meeting |
| 9:30 am - 10:30 am | Center time (small group curricular activities); snack |
| 10:30 am - 11:00 am | Special (art, physical education, music, library, or world languages) |
| 11:00 am - 11:45 am | Outdoor activities |
| 11:45 am - 12:00 pm | Transition and preparation for lunch |
| 12:00 pm - 12:35 pm | Lunch |
| 12:35 pm - 1:00 pm | Story and songs; transition |
| 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm | Rest |
| 2:30 pm - 3:15 pm | Outdoor activities |
| 3:15 pm - 3:45 pm | Center time (small group curricular activities); snack |
| 3:45 pm - 4:00 pm | Dismissal for children not remaining for PM Care |
| 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm | PM Care (outdoor play, story, indoor activities) |
The Early Learning Center at Fay School
elc@fayschool.org | 508-490-8260 | About Fay School | About FaySummer
Location - 23 Middle Road, Southborough, MA 01772
Mailing Address - 48 Main Street, Southborough, MA 01772
Fay School admits students of any race, color, religion or creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic background, or with any disability that can be reasonably accommodated by the School, to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at Fay School. The School does not discriminate on the basis of such factors in the administration of its educational policies, employment policies, admissions policies, financial aid programs, athletics, or other school administered programs.
Location - 23 Middle Road, Southborough, MA 01772
Mailing Address - 48 Main Street, Southborough, MA 01772
Fay School admits students of any race, color, religion or creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic background, or with any disability that can be reasonably accommodated by the School, to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at Fay School. The School does not discriminate on the basis of such factors in the administration of its educational policies, employment policies, admissions policies, financial aid programs, athletics, or other school administered programs.