Learning Through Exploration: Infant
Implementation Pilot
We are proud to announce a professional learning opportunity for 40 infant classrooms to pilot a new infant component of Learning Through Exploration - a play-based, relational, anti-bias, community-developed curriculum. Center-based programs within 25 miles of Boston, MA are encouraged to apply.
Why join the pilot?
Cohort 1: Supported Implementation
What you get:
YEAR 1:
Introductory workshop
Printed curriculum materials
Full set of recommended literature per classroom (~$800 value)
Observations and debrief sessions with a Neighborhood Villages coach (~30 minute conversations two times a week)
Check-ins in-person or via email or phone with a coach (on alternating weeks)
Classroom observations using the CLASS™ tool, including summary and written feedback for educators (two times a year)
YEAR 2:
Quarterly check-in visits with Neighborhood Villages staff
Classroom observations using the CLASS™ tool, including summary and written feedback for educators (two times a year)
What you give:
YEAR 1:
Implementation of curricular resource in all classrooms
Full participation in coaching for educators
Full participation in professional learning workshops for educators and leadership
Completion of staff surveys both pre- and post-pilot
Commitment to data collection (CLASS™ observations)
Educator provided feedback
Leadership provided feedback
YEAR 2:
Implementation of curricular resource in all classrooms
Implementation surveys
Commitment to data collection (CLASS™ observations)
Educator feedback
Leadership feedback
Cohort 2: Self-Implementation
What you get:
YEAR 1:
Introductory workshop
Printed curriculum materials
Full set of recommended literature per classroom (~$800 value)
Classroom observations using the CLASS™ tool, including summary and written feedback for educators (two times a year)
YEAR 2:
Observations and debrief sessions with a Neighborhood Villages coach (~30 minute conversations two times a week)
Check-ins in-person or via email or phone with the coach (on alternating weeks)
Classroom observations using the CLASS™ tool, including summary and written feedback for educators (two times a year)
YEAR 2:
Implementation of curricular resource in all classrooms
Full participation in coaching for educators
Full participation in professional learning workshops for educators and leadership
Completion of staff surveys both pre- and post-pilot
Commitment to data collection (CLASS™ observations)
Educator provided feedback
Leadership provided feedback
YEAR 1:
Implementation of curricular resource in all classrooms
Implementation surveys
Commitment to data collection (CLASS™ observations)
Educator provided feedback
Leadership provided feedback
What you give:
Applicants may be placed in either cohort
Application Timeline:
Application opens: May 22, 2026
Application deadline: June 26, 2026
Decision notification: July 31, 2026
Role of leadership:
Introductory workshop attendance
Signing of coaching agreement between leadership and coach
Commitment to providing educators time to meet with coaches twice monthly during Year 1 or Year 2 (depending on cohort)
Designated private space for meetings with the coach
Commitment to providing adequate planning time for educators to learn and plan with the curriculum
Commitment to providing time for an introductory workshop with educators in August 2026
Open line of communication with Neighborhood Villages staff
Photo/video release for participating classrooms (educators and children)
Role of educators:
Introductory workshop attendance
Commitment to implementation of LTE an average of two times a week (implementing learning experiences, conducting read-alouds, and engaging with families) and completing documentation of this level of engagement during Year 1 or Year 2
Full participation in coaching during Year 1 or Year 2:
Signing of coaching agreement between educator and coach
In classroom observations of implementation (bi-weekly)
Out of classroom debrief sessions (~30 minutes, bi-weekly)