The Child Parent Academy
VOCEL’s Child Parent Academy is a free baby and tot play group where parents learn ways to spark learning and discovery while their children make new friends and get ready for preschool.
How it works
At Our Partner Sites
Children ages 0-4 and their caregivers meet every week at one of our school partners over the school year.
At Home
Parents receive supports for home like books, VOCEL Brain Bags, and text message tips.
Additional Supports
Family Support Specialists provide a listening ear and connect families with hard-to-access resources.
What you can expect
We believe learning should be hands-on, messy, and fun!
Hour 1: Play-based learning. The weekly classes start with fun, hands-on activities for babies and toddlers and their caregivers and parents.
We know it takes a village to raise a child and support caregivers.
Hour 2: Finding out what works and sharing it with others. Parents separate for a supportive discussion where they learn about child development and swap stories in a judgement-free zone. During this time, the children build their independence and socialize with peers in their classroom.
Parents are their child’s first and most important teachers.
A bridge from classes to home. Every month, families receive a Brain Bag with a book and new learning tool. They also receive texts 3x per week with parenting tips and ideas, plus access to VOCEL’s online parent resource library.
Connecting to a network of family programs
Family Support Specialists. We partner with mental health, employment, and other community programs to help families secure additional resources and support.