About Us

Kids' Corner is a parent-sponsored nonprofit licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care, serving the Winchester, MA community since 1982 with dedicated teachers, enthusiastic kids, and a successful program model.

This is a place where children can learn, have fun, play outside, make new friends, and be part of a true community. We promote education, enrichment, and personal growth through a variety of academic, social, sporting, and creative activities.

Our wonderful, professional and dedicated staff have each been at Kids' Corner for an average of 7 years. All of our lead teachers are Massachusetts Licensed, or working toward Masters in Education, and all staff have at minimum a college education.

Kids' Corner is located in the lower level of the old Mystic School at 263 Main Street. Transportation is provided for students; however, parents are responsible for purchasing their own bus passes through Winchester School Department.

  • To nurture compassionate and confident youth through exceptional and engaging out-of-school programs.

  • Kids’ Corner’s vision is a Winchester in which every child knows and is celebrated for their unique strengths and abilities.

    • Culture of caring and respect – attending to the needs of our families, honoring the wellbeing and engagement of our staff, listening to the community

    • Engagement and exploration – expanding children’s global and self-awareness, interests, and abilities through enriching experiences

    • Developmentally responsive – attending to children’s diverse needs, interests, and voices.

    • Partnerships across the community – active and engaged member of the community.

Parent Support Philosophy

Through parent involvement on the Board of Directors, and with the support of the Executive Director, parents determine actual program direction, thus ensuring that their children have the kind of experience they collectively desire. Regular support from the Board, and occasional help from parents in the Kids' Corner community, frees the staff to concentrate on implementing the Board's goals for the program, and serving the needs of the children. This support also helps to keep the administrative costs of the program down.

This program belongs to you and your children. Your cooperation, constructive input, and contributions, large and small, help determine its success.

Opportunities for Involvement

Parents have many different opportunities to be involved at Kids' Corner, with varying levels of commitment and areas of concern. Most of these opportunities are made know via the Kids' Corner newsletter or through emails reaching out to all parents, while some may be offered via direct appeal to parents who have demonstrated interest. Examples of opportunities include:

  • Attending parent, program-wide, and community events

  • Bringing professional and/or cultural knowledge or skills into the classroom

  • Supporting fundraising efforts, such as donating something for auction, or soliciting an item, or securing a donation from your employer

  • Volunteering for committees

  • Serving on the Board

The Board of Directors

The Kids' Corner Board of Directors is responsible for oversight of the Executive Director, and for fiscal oversight of the entire program. The Board of Directors makes important decisions on policy (such as personnel, security, information, and financial policy), which are published in the staff and parent handbooks. The Board also helps to make financial and hiring decisions during the year, under the leadership of the Executive Board. As an advisory board, it is concerned with any major changes in organizational structure and programmatic offerings. Officers and other Board members donate their time in service to the program.

The Executive Director is responsible for all operations and day-to-day decision-making. The Executive Director reports to board, and seeks feedback as needed and appropriate.

Kids’ Corner Board Members 2024-2025

President: Amy Lovasco  - President@kidscornerwinchester.org

VP of Internal Affairs: Casandra Calawa - InternalAffairs@kidscornerwinchester.org

VP of Fundraising and Development: Michael Lee - FandD@kidscornerwinchester.org

Board Treasurer: Shavawn Waelsch - Treasurer@kidscornerwinchester.org

Board Secretary: Sonya Rao - Secretary@kidscornerwinchester.org

Board Members:

Alice Bhukhmohan
Alison Harrall
Michael Gerstenblatt
Jeff Schiller
Tom Stanton
Jeff Duncan
Leigh Tinmouth