Testimonials

"What Birth To Three Means to Me"

Jacquelyn Cordima  & Trevor’s parents:  Keri and Glenn MacRae
What is Birth to Three?  I had noticed articles in the newspaper and knew the location.    When my grandson was born I agreed to care for him when his parents returned to work.  This was just after 9/ll and the world was a more frightening place than when I raised my children.  Suddenly I was alone with an eight week old baby.  What was I going to do?

What is Birth to Three?  My grandson was less than three months old when I found the courage to call and find out.  The phone was answered by a delightful person who listened to my tale of being an older grandmother and assured me I would be welcome.  She immediately signed us up for the birth to 6 months class.  I arrived full of fear and trepidation only to be met by a group of friendly young mothers and a most caring staff. 

What is Birth to Three?  We found the staff ready to help at every stage. We used all their resources including developmental screening, a lending library, and special classes that addressed our many concerns.  Birth to Three helped with everything from sleeping to toilet training to car seats.  And we never felt alone.

What is Birth to Three?   It is a place where I met the most remarkable people.  It is a place my grandson loved.   It is a place every parent, caregiver, or grandparent should have available.   I never felt isolated or alone since the day I walked in with my tiny grandson.   We spent his first three years enjoying all the things offered.  We enjoyed classes, stories, songs, open play, crafts, outings, and socializing.  I know these early experiences have given him the solid foundation he will need to succeed in an increasingly complex world.

Why Birth to Three?  My grandson thrived and has become a well adjusted happy four year old in preschool.  I still enjoy our monthly grandparents meetings.  Birth to Three is a resource every community should have.  I’ve heard the phrase “it takes a village to raise a child” and Birth to Three is our village. 

Thank you for being there for my grandson’s important first three years.  Our entire family has benefited from our experience at Birth to Three.

Claire Powers - March 2006
"Ah, Tuesday morning playgroup.  After the morning rush to get big brother on the bus, get a brush through big sister's hair, and drop the carpool off at preschool, I have just enough time to throw back a cup of coffee, load up the dishes... oh, and what's that, a poopy diaper on the way out the door?  Somehow we eventually arrive, 5 minutes late of course, harried and disheveled. But suddenly all is right with the world.  Liam delightedly scampers off to join his friends at the train table while Mommy is warmly welcomed to the sunny, soothing Ipswich Birth to Three Center.

To me, the Ipswich Birth to Three Center is an oasis of calm in the sea of chaos that is parenting.  It is the only place in town where families can come together purely for the sake of educating and cultivating our very young children.  It honors the common goal we share, that of making the most of the precious first few years, and it does it beautifully.

It is a place to learn from professionals as well as other moms and dads; a place to introduce children to new friends, new toys, new textures, new books and new crafts; and a place to affirm the tough job we are all doing as parents.  I've seen so much laughter there, and plenty of tears, as we all struggle to learn and grow and do the best we can for our amazing beloved children.

I am now enjoying taking my third child, 2-year-old Liam, to the Birth to Three Center.  His weekly playgroup is so precious to us both, because it is a special place and time just for Liam and I to share, squeezed in between his big sister's playdates, his big brother's athletic endeavors, and of course nap time.  It's free of tiny lego pieces and pouty older siblings, and is a place where he can joyfully roam free, surrounded by toys and activities geared just to him.

In the 5 years it has been in Ipswich, my entire family has benefited tremendously from the classes, playgroups, wisdom and friendships that the center has to offer.  I have been coming to the Ipswich Birth to Three Center since it opened.  My eldest was 3 at the time.  It was and is such a beautiful, clean, sunny facility, so warm and welcoming.  And it was such a nice opportunity to connect with parents and children I might not have otherwise met.  I can remember conversations with friends during which we agreed that the Center was a wonderful luxury for our town.  Having recently moved to Ipswich, I was thrilled with the choice we had made!

It also has to be said... the fact that the Center's offerings are all free or carry a minimal charge is so wonderful and so crucial.  We are a family of 5 surviving on one income, which is of course financially challenging.  We aren't signing up for every tumbling class, baby yoga, parenting class, baby massage, arts and crafts or kindermusic class that comes down the pike, because quite honestly we can't afford it.  But 0 -3 offers a smattering of each of these and more.  With Birth to Three in town, I really feel like our children have access to all the critical tools to help them achieve optimal development.

Over the years I have participated in playgroups, parent talks, book borrowing, Mom's nights out, and both STEP I and STEP II.  They have all been wonderful, rejuvenating and enlightening.  When that newsletter arrives in the mail, all the catalogs and bills get pushed aside so I can read it cover to cover.  The sign-up date immediately is posted on the calendar, and you can bet that come 8:59 a.m. that day, I am poised, receiver in hand, with the redial button at the ready to make sure to get a spot in the new playgroups and classes.

Birth to Three is a town treasure.  In an era where politicians are claiming to espouse family values, the Center truly values the family, and I can't say enough good things about it.  I thank you for the many opportunities it has given us to enjoy our children and enhance their lives.”