The Richie McFarland Children’s Center is an early childhood program whose purpose is to help young children reach their full developmental potential and to support their families through that process. We provide developmental and therapy services for children with and without special needs, support and education to their families and guidance in accessing community and health resources.
The Richie McFarland Children’s Center (RMCC) was founded in 1971 by a small group of Seacoast parents raising children with special needs. They were determined to create social and therapeutic opportunities for their children that did not exist in the communities in which they lived.
The founding families realized their goal and nearly 40 years later, RMCC remains a vital, community-based organization providing developmental and support services to 380 families per year. We continue to provide high quality therapeutic services including speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy and educational therapy.
Today, as it was in the beginning RMCC services are family-centered, teaching and encouraging parents to develop the necessary skills that will best serve their children’s development and supporting them through that process.
Classes/Workshops
Early Learning Groups
Early Learning Groups – play-based, preschool-readiness group experiences at both of our locations or other community settings. These groups provide children with valuable social opportunities that include developmentally appropriate activities as well as individualized education and therapeutic support as needed. Starting age for this group is 26 months.
We limit the number of participants in all our Play Groups (6 children) to ensure individualized attention.
Sessions are held at our facility in Stratham. Classes are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with two sessions: 9am-10am and 10:30am-11:30am. Families choose one day and time that works best for their schedule.
Winter Semester 2011 runs from January 4- March 31. There will be no classes during the week of February Winter Break, Feb 28-Mar 4. This session is 12 weeks and cost is $180. Tuition is prorated for children who enroll after the semester has started or formally withdraw before the end of the semester.
Tuition payments must be made before a child begins class. A minimum two-week written notice is requested when a family is ready to withdraw a child from the program. This gives RMCC staff time to enroll another child to fill the vacancy. If a child is absent for two consecutive weeks without notice to the Group teachers, the child will be considered withdrawn. RMCC is unable to refund tuition for missed classes. If RMCC must cancel a scheduled class, a make-up session will be offered.
Reach With Speech
Group-based speech and language therapy services for children 3 to 5 years old. This small group setting is designed to meet the needs of each child and is taught by a Speech & Language Pathologist with 20 years of experience. The focus of the speech group is to learn while having fun as each child’s specific communication needs are addressed.
Sessions are held Tuesday Mornings: 9:00am-9:40am (ages 3-4); 10:00am-10:40am (ages 4-5)
Cost is $250 for 6 week sessions. Each session is 40 minutes long and with a take home activity.
Baby Signs
Baby Signs® – curriculum-based program for any parent who wants to foster communication with their young children. The program teaches easy ways to learn and practice sign language through the single session Parent Workshop or the 6-week Sign, Say and Play™ class.
Please contact our center for further class information.
YogaPlay
YogaPlay combines traditional yoga postures, breathing exercises and themes with developmentally stimulating games to nurture the whole child.
YogaPlay is for 4-5 year olds and is being taught by a yoga instructor who is also an experienced pediatric physical therapist. She will be assisted by a child development specialist who is experienced with group settings. This class is limited to 8 children and parents may watch from our observation room. Emphasis will be on building your child’s confidence, language and motor skills, while stimulating the imagination and creativity of your child. For more information, see the event flyer.
Class Sessions held at our facility at Pease International Tradeport.
Upcoming Sessions:
Session 1 (4-5 year olds)
Tuesdays: March 8- April 12, 10:30am-11:30am
Cost: $60 for 6 weeks
Please contact our center to pre-register for class sessions; a $20 non-refundable deposit will be required to hold your child’s spot in the class. Minimum enrollment required to hold the class is 4 children.
Richie McFarland
11 Sandy Point Road, Stratham NH
(603) 778-8193
