Harvard Yard Child Care Center

This is a great child care center and school for infants and toddlers. There is typically a wait list, with priority going to Harvard affliated parents. They only have 7 spaces in their infant class room, so apply early if you are interested. The teachers there are simply lovely: everyone is so friendly and cheerful even when the children pass around the flu or stomach virus. They love to sing and get the children all excited about playtime and activities.
Parents are expected to volunteer 2 hours weekly, but like the previous reviewer said, the schedules are flexible, and the time is mostly spent tending to your own child.
The classrooms are well equipped with toys, cribs, furniture, feeding and diaper stations, and have a homely feeling with lots of light, even though the center occupies the basement of a Harvard building.
There is parking for drop off and pick up, though spots are limited, and very often, parents picking up their kids have to do illegal parking in Harvard Universitys parking lot or do street parking. Harvard seems to be pretty lax about enforcing parking during pick up time.
HYCCC only have slots for full-​day care from 8:30am to 5:30pm. The fees are about $ 2300 per month for younger kids and it lowers to about $ 1600 for older kids. If your child is offered a spot there, but can’t attend due to age (e.g. before 3 months) or any other reason, they can hold a spot for your child if you pay the monthly fees. Early dropoff (before 8:30am) or Late pickup (until 6:30pm) can be arranged for extra. They do close on snow days if 3 out of the 4 neighboring towns all have snow days for their public schools.
Based on our child’s progress and happiness level in the school, we rate it a thumbs up experience, totally worth the price.

Harvard Yard Child Care Center was founded in 1971 to serve Harvard employees and the community at a time when women were just beginning to enter academia in larger numbers.
It’s an amazing place that was recently completely renovated. The classrooms for younger kids tend to fill up quickly, but the older classrooms usually have openings.
It’s a parent co-​op, and parents are expected to be present in the classrooms on a regular basis (once a week, generally, but they’re flexible). Student: teacher ratios can’t be beat. The whole place has a child-​centered approach that makes every kid happy.
Also a great playground, lots of excursions, creative and loving children.