Our goal is to support all families in helping your child best develop and achieve.  We encourage family involvement in your child’s learning readiness.  We provide programs that support both parents and children.  FREE playgroups, FREE workshops, FREE support groups.  These programs run both during the day as well as some evenings to accommodate working families.  We do this through the various programs and activities that we have here at the Family Partnership Center.   The following is a list of what we have to offer to young children and their families in our community:

  • Parent Groups, Workshops and Informational Resources  Activities are scheduled to provide families up to date information about educational issues, early childhood programs/services, and assistance with discipline and behavior issues.  This year we will also be offering workshops on financial literacy which will include topics such as couponing 101, ways to budget your household finances, organizing your home, etc.
  • Play & Learn  Weekly playgroups are scheduled for parents, grandparents, caregivers and their children in Ayer, Shirley & Devens.   Playgroups are held at the FPC in Ayer at Page Hilltop School, the Lura A. White School in Shirley and the Devens Community Center. 
  • Family Literacy Activities Parents, Guardians, Grandparents, and children…come learn together.  All activities focus on supporting literacy activities at home.  This year we will be offering a series of workshops through the Scholastic Read and Rise program (for parents) which will discuss the importance of early literacy in your home.  Parents who participate will receive a number of FREE books to add to your family library.     
  • The Parent Child Home Program  If you are a parent of a child between the ages of 16 months and 3 years of age, and you live in Ayer or Shirley, you may be eligible to participate in the Parent-Child Home Program. This program helps prepare your child for later school success in a fun and friendly way.  A free educational book or toy for you to keep is given to you and your child once per week by a home visitor.  
  • Welcome Baby Bag Program  A wonderful gift bag full of gifts is given to new parents stocked full of gifts, samples, resource materials and a new book for both baby and Mom/Dad.  This program is 100% referral based so if you know of a new parent in our community, give us a call.  
  • Resource & Referral Library Our resource library is located at our “home” here at the Page Hilltop School.  There is a lending library of books for both parents and children, a video and game lending library and a safe drop-in play space for children.  We also can help out on referrals for things such as childcare services, home visits, WIC, Food Stamps (SNAP Program), Fuel Assistance, Adult Learning & much more!
  • Ayer/Shirley CFCE (Coordinated Family & Community Engagement) Council Meetings  Come to a CFCE Council Meeting to find out more about what we are doing to support children and families in Ayer, Shirley & Devens.  Presentations, discussions and updates will be on the agenda.  This council offers leadership opportunities for parents and others in taking an active role in early education and care programs and policies.  All meetings are held at the FPC Play space at the Page Hilltop Elementary School, 115 Washington Street in Ayer.  Contact us for details.
  • Fun for Your Kindergartener  You will see various flyers going home throughout the school year for special events that we will host, including craft nights, kindergarten bingo and parent education opportunities.  When you come visit the school for open house in September, swing by our playroom and say hello and grab a copy of our current schedule.  

Would You Like to Know MORE?  Our playgroup/workshop schedule changes monthly.  Would you like to get a copy of our current schedule?  We keep in touch with families via a monthly e-newsletter.  If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please reach out to us.  We can be reached at (978) 772-8600 Ext. 1428, you can email us at familypartnershipcenter@yahoo.com or you can find us on Facebook “Family Partnership of Ayer, Shirley & Devens”. 

Contact Info:

Deanna Christie, Program Coordinator

Theresa Zoller, Playgroup Facilitator

(978) 772-8600 Ext. 1428