Neck Of the Woods (NOW) is a Mad River Valley-based childcare program built by and for the community with  a focus on children from infancy to twelve years old. NOW practices a strengths-based approach to learning  where children are encouraged to pursue areas of interest that inspire passion and success. NOW also focuses  on the child’s social-emotional development, with the understanding that a child’s early years are essential to  establishing a positive, resilient base from which to view the world. NOW programming is centered around six  values: empowerment, support, empathy, resilience, community, and environmental responsibility. These values  create the foundation of NOW’s programming, and serve as guides to the play, education, and development of  these youngest members of the Mad River Valley community. 

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NOW staff members, many of whom are parents themselves, have educational backgrounds focused on early childhood learning and clinical mental health. A healthy and supported staff is integral to providing positive,  successful programming to the children in the Mad River Valley community. To that end, NOW strives to pay a  livable wage to staff and supports continuing education to keep them engaged in and current in their mission. 

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Outdoor space is a key component to NOW’s programming, which may take the form of building a fire from  scavenged tree branches, studying the river ecosystem, or running barefoot races through the grass. NOW’s  eleven-acre campus next to the Mad River in Waitsfield offers essential outdoor recreational and educational  space for all age groups. 

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Lastly, NOW exists to support all families in the Valley, regardless of their economic status. By partnering with  local organizations and private citizens, NOW aims to provide essential childcare for all.

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