Our Program

Frog Pond Early Learning Center is an early childhood program that emphasizes development of strong core values of character and respect for the interdependent web of life.  Children connect with the earth and science by:

• caring for animals in our mini-farm of goats and chickens
  
  
• exploring the adjacent wildlife refuge (Huntley Meadows)
  
  
• experiencing our curriculum guided by “Science Sarah”
  
  
• participating in organic gardening
  
  
• tending our grounds and butterfly habitat

Our Classes 

We have two classes, the Tadpoles and the Frogs:

• Tadpoles - mixed age group from 18 months to 3 ½ years of age  (one adult to four children ratio)
  
  
• Frogs - mixed age group of 3 ½ to 5 ½ year old children (one adult to eight children ratio)

About 50 children are enrolled, including part-time students. On a daily basis we have a maximum of 40 children.  Our adult to child ratios exceed the licensing requirements. 

We include children who have special needs and those who receive financial assistance.  Our goal is to have a diverse population. We do this by accepting children who receive assistance from the Office for Children and offering reduced rates.

Our Roots

The non-profit corporation, Mother Nurture Company, under which Frog Pond operates, was founded in 1998 by Pam Tinker, a physical therapist and experienced health care manager.  As part of her lifelong mission in the community to advocate for people who have disabilities, she founded this early learning center and designed it to be wheelchair and walker accessible.

Her deep commitment to the respect and caring for Mother Earth prompted the corporate name, “Mother Nurture.”  The name has multiple layers of meaning since the school gives children and families the nurturing as would be typical of a loving parent. It sustains mothers and fathers by providing high-quality child care for an extended day that allows parents to work with the confidence that their children’s lives are being enriched and nurtured.