Welcome to the Amelio Della Chiesa Early Childhood Center. This unique Quincy school is one of the few public schools on the South Shore devoted to the education and development of the young child in pre-kindergarten. This is a truly nurturing environment that services approximately 175 young children.
Message from the Team Administrator:
The Amelio Della Chiesa Early Childhood Center opened in March of 1994, on the site of the former Lincoln Elementary School in southwest Quincy. We hold certification from the National Association of Educators of Young Children. The Early Childhood Center (E.C.C.), which services approximately 175 three- to five-year-olds, is unique in that it is the only E.C.C. in the Quincy Public School System. There are ten half-day integrated pre-kindergarten classes, seven CARES classes, and one Special Needs Learning Center. We celebrate that we are a culturally diverse community and this is incorporated into our curricula at every opportunity.
In addition to thirteen classrooms, this bright, cheerful, and semi-open space school building also has a Motor Room, Cafeteria, and Gymnasium in addition to nursing, guidance, and administrative offices. We have a playground designed to facilitate the motor needs of young children. In an effort to foster good community relations the Ward Four Community Room is housed at the E.C.C. In addition to community events, this room is utilized by the staff and children for special presentations.
A notable component of the Center is the Early Childhood Integrated Pre-kindergarten Program which provides high-quality opportunities for up to 150 children whose abilities range from typically developing to identified special needs, and who come from diverse cultural, linguistic, and economic backgrounds. Funding sources for the implementation of this program include Title 1 federal funds, the Massachusetts Early Childhood Partnership Grant, the Massachusetts Early Childhood Special Education Allocation, and the Quincy Public Schools. In addition, we have a Special Needs Learning Center Program which services pre-kindergarten students with a diagnosis of multiple disabilities and several CARES programs for students who are diagnosed on the autism spectrum.
We are designated as a Title 1 school. We also participate in the federal breakfast and lunch program. Other services are provided by our special needs teachers, nurses, physical therapists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, school psychologist, music therapist, and guidance counselor.