PEAR's website ATIS -Assessment Tools in Informal Science, is a searchable online database of assessment tools for informal science programs created to provide practitioners, evaluators and researchers with the appropriate tools for assessing program quality and outcomes for children and youth. http://www.pearweb.org/atis … [Read more...]

The National Association for the Education of Young Children works to raise the quality of programs for all children from birth through age eight through different systems of accreditation. http://www.naeyc.org/accreditation … [Read more...]

The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care provides information on necessary steps to become a licensed child care provider and information about the types of child care programs that the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) licenses in Massachusetts. http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=edusubtopic&L=4&L0=Home&L1=Pre+K+-+Grade+12&L2=Early... … [Read more...]

The key to high-quality, out-of-school time programming is the skill level and stability of the staff. For programs to meet their potential as places where young people from all backgrounds thrive, staff must be well-trained, well-compensated and retained from year to year. Achieve-Boston is a collaborative effort to build a professional development system for out-of-school time staff, ensuring that program staff at all levels have access to comprehensive training and educational opportunities that enable them to strengthen their skills, … [Read more...]

In Massachusetts, recreational camps for children must be inspected and licensed by the local board of health in the city or town where the camp is located. In order to be licensed, the camp must meet all regulatory standards established by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) and any additional local requirements. http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eohhs2terminal&L=4&L0=Home&L1=Government&L2=Local+Go … [Read more...]

Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) is the City of Boston’s largest youth and human service agency and the lead department for Mayor Thomas M. Menino’s Boston R.O.C.K.S!!! summer programming campaign. Included in this brochure are dozens of neighborhood-based and citywide summer day camps and programs for Boston’s young people. We have arranged this guide by neighborhood to help you navigate our full menu of exciting programs. On the back cover, you will see a list of partners we would like to acknowledge whose support helps us bring … [Read more...]