Once upon a time, in the fantastic state of Massachusetts, which was as grand as a king's castle, a bunch of cheeky, playful kids loved to dive into a special activity known as Sensory Play. The state itself was a treasure trove of history and beauty, with its mighty mountains, whispering woods, and big, dazzling cities. It was as if Mother Nature and Father Time played a game of chess and Massachusetts was their masterpiece. These bright-eyed Massachusetts kids, who were as lively as a basket of bunnies, loved nothing more than splashing their hands into squishy, squelchy jelly, or feeling the tickle of a feather brush against their skin. The Sensory Play was like magic to them, as enchanting as a unicorn's giggle! Their leader was a cool imaginary character named Fredrick the Freckled Frog. Fredrick, with his emerald green skin and a shower of golden freckles, was as funny as a clown's sneeze. He had a belly laugh that could shake the trees and his big bulging eyes twinkled with mischief. Fredrick would guide the kids through the sensory play, his long, sticky fingers exploring the different textures alongside theirs. "Listen to the plop-plop of the slime," he would say, or "Feel the crunch of the dried leaves," always making the kids laugh with his hilarious, exaggerated expressions. Life in Massachusetts was always an adventure with Fredrick and the sensory play. The kids would always end their day tired but happy, their hearts full of joy and their minds bursting with new experiences. Even the stars in the Massachusetts sky seemed to twinkle a little brighter, as if joining in on their laughter and fun.
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The Happy Hive is an inclusive play space designed to spark joy and connection for every child. With a special focus on comfort and accessibility for neurodivergent kids, our environment welcomes children of all abilities to explore, move, and create at their own pace. From climbing walls, swings, and zip lines to dedicated zones for pretend play and art, The Happy Hive offers both high-energy fun and creative outlets. While we cater to children ages 1-13 for neurotypical kids, we have no age limit when it comes to kids with special needs—because play should have no boundaries. At The Happy Hive, we believe every child deserves a space where they can feel safe, included, and free to be themselves.
At KinderCare, we know that your child is capable of so much from the very beginning. That’s why we created Early Foundations®, an exclusive curriculum designed to give your little one a head start. Our Education Team has pulled together the very best parts of leading educational philosophies to create an approach that is tailored to meet the needs of each and every one of our youngest learners. From the very beginning, your child’s learning is at the heart of KinderCare. We recognize that even the tiniest of babies are capable of learning, and every coo, crawl, and creation is proof of that. That’s why our child care programs put education first, and we don’t rely on an existing curriculum. Instead, our Education Team has crafted Early Foundations®—a unique approach that you won’t find anywhere else. Our dedicated team has combined the best elements of the world’s leading educational philosophies, allowing us to give your little one the best start possible.
If you're in the mood for an urban adventure, the Cambridge YMCA is easy to get to. We are conveniently located in Central Square, on the Red Line for public transportation. Buses frequently pass by our Mass Ave. site, and we are approximately halfway between MIT and Harvard University, directly across from City Hall. If you're driving, the Mass Pike, Storrow Drive, and Memorial Drive will take you right to us. Our parking lot is located directly behind the building on Green Street, and there is metered parking available on Mass Ave. and the surrounding streets.