WAMS created Play Group Plus, a pre-Kindergarten program, in the Main South area of Worcester, in spring 2022. PGP is a collaboration between WAMS and Worcester Family Partnership, a state-funded program run under the umbrella of the Worcester Public Schools, that provides free play groups for families in Worcester. PGP does that and more.
Not all children have the opportunity to experience early childhood education, and many come from homes in which English isn’t the primary language. PGP was created because a local elementary school Principal suggested it would help children entering Kindergarten, and their teachers, if the new students had some classroom experience and some basic pre-K learning. The emphasis is on socialization, but added to that are useful abilities like basic counting, recognizing their own printed names, and listening skills. Teachers include both English and Spanish speakers. Children learn how to play with others, how to follow directions from a teacher, and how to listen to adult who is sharing a book with the class.
These are groups for children and their parents/caregivers, because they help the grownups gain skills in doing activities with their kids. If there are younger brothers and sisters, they are welcome, too. Snacks are provided for everyone, and each family gets a small supermarket gift card. Every child leaves the session with a new book to take home.
Groups are held at the Main South CDC, 875 Main Street in Worcester, on Thursdays from 9:45 to 11:30.
Anyone interested should contact Vanessa Ramos, WAMS Director of Programs, by phone (508-755-2329) or email (vramos [at] wamsworks.org). Pre-registration is not required.
The creation of Play Group Plus was made possible by a grant from the Massachusetts Women’s Home Missionary Union.
This playgroup is a collaborative effort of WAMS, Worcester Family Partnership, and Main South CDC. Worcester Family Partnership is a Coordinated Family and Community Engagement grant from the MA Department of Early Education and Care to the Worcester Public Schools
