Regis Expands Children's Center With Return of Kindergarten Program

Regis, a leading Catholic university in Weston, is pleased to announce that a kindergarten program will once again be offered as part of its highly regarded Children’s Center.

This announcement comes two years after kindergarten was discontinued amid widespread changes at the Center which is now thriving. In just two years, Director Rebecca Putnam has led the program from an enrollment of ten students to an expected 44 this fall. She credits an active parent advisory council and the leadership of President Antoinette M. Hays, PhD, RN, for ensuring program’s continued success.

“I had the pleasure of attending the preschool graduation recently,” said Hays. “It’s so satisfying to see our youngest learners thriving on this dynamic campus that serves a diverse student body including our local senior citizens.”

The vast majority of Children’s Center students come from surrounding communities including Weston, Wellesley and Wayland.

“Parents love our flexible offerings including the new kindergarten program,” said Putnam. “But mostly they love that we are so integrated with Regis’ dynamic campus.”

Children, who range from 15 months to six years old, enjoy STEAM programming in science classrooms, play on athletic fields and take part in unique global connections.

Students formed a relationship with children at the Be Like Brit Orphanage in Haiti throughout the past school year even talking to each other via Skype. Regis’ honors program students taught the preschoolers about Haitian culture, climate and customs. Be Like Brit was founded by the Massachusetts family of 19-year-old Britney Gengel, killed during the 2010 earthquake. Regis has made a major commitment to improving medical care through its nursing education program in Haiti.

Fox25 anchor Sara Underwood is among the many happy parents at Regis Children’s Center. Her daughter Tess has attended for the past three years. “It has been an amazing place for her,” Underwood said. “Her language skills, social skills and confidence have increased so dramatically over the past three years.”

Photo attached is from the graduation of 6 preschool students on June 23rd on campus. President Hays is handing Amy Shen of Weston her diploma while Tyler Nardone and Scarlett Poirier, both of Wellesley, look on.