—FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—

Rutland County Head Start and Wonderfeet Kids’ Museum Announce New Partnership

“Play is often talked about as if it was a relief from serious learning, but for children, play is serious learning. Play is the work of childhood.” – Mr. Fred Rogers

Rutland, Vt. – Rutland County Head Start (RCHS) and Wonderfeet Kids’ Museum, two of the Rutland-area’s leading, play-based early childhood education organizations, today announced a new partnership aimed at enhancing learning opportunities for the youngest Rutlanders. 

The new partnership will include free monthly playdates for the community-at-large with children under the age of 5, as well as Wonderfeet memberships for all currently enrolled Head Start and Early Head Start families.

“One of Wonderfeet’s core values is community partnership, and we are so excited to partner with Rutland County Head Start,” said Liv Cadena, Guest Services Coordinator for Wonderfeet Kids’ Museum. “This is an opportunity for us to provide support for children and families in  ways that support is most needed. RCHS families can come play with their kids at Wonderfeet, connect with other families, and have fun — as families, and as a community.” 

“We believe this innovative collaboration will benefit the whole community in fun and new ways,” said Donna Barrow, Director of Rutland County Head Start. “In addition to hosting the playdates at the museum each month, we will also be providing annual Wonderfeet memberships to all of our student families so they can regularly enjoy the museum and take part in the other wonderful activities offered there.”

Kristen Nugent, Family Services Manager with Rutland County Head Start, will be spearheading the partnership with Wonderfeet Children’s Museum as part of her focus on engagement initiatives with the local community and expanding services for Head Start students.

“Kristen has been making connections to increase resources and opportunities for our little community to grow,” said Barrow. “This partnership will also help more families to learn about and take advantage of our many services.”

The Family Services department of RCHS currently hosts weekly “Coffee and Chats” and “Tea Time” for parents and caregivers with children enrolled in RCHS classes, as well as playgroups at its two school locations. Starting Wednesday, December 11, Wonderfeet and RCHS will begin hosting  free monthly play dates at Wonderfeet Kids’ Museum for any families in the community with children under age 5. Play dates will be held from 2:30-4:00 p.m. on the second Wednesday of every month through June.

“Cultivating Partnerships is paramount to the foundation of Rutland County Head Start,” said Nugent. “Wonderfeet Museum provides high quality play and social experiences for children and parents, and we are grateful to be able to coordinate as providers, so our families and those throughout the broader community can directly benefit. This partnership will allow families to actively participate in the Wonderfeet activities, which further connects them, and RCHS, to the community as a whole. We are grateful to have forged this alliance as we all build the village it takes, together.”

Barrow, Nugent, and Cadena are also exploring additional opportunities such as the creation of “Parent Night Out” events where parents would be able to drop children off for two hours of play with museum staff and trained Rutland County Head Start educators supervising. 

“There are so many possibilities,” said Barrow. “Like our other community partnerships, we feel certain this one will continue to evolve in innovative and exciting ways that benefit the whole Rutland community.”

For more information on the monthly play dates or community partnership opportunities, contact Rutland County Head Start Family Services Manager, Kristen Nugent, at (802) 775-8225 or email her at [email protected].

About Wonderfeet Kids’ Museum: Wonderfeet Kids’ Museum is a gem in the heart of Downtown Rutland. Wonderfeet serves families in our community, and lives by its mission to foster curiosity and exploration, inspire creativity and ignite the imagination of every child through the power of play. Wonderfeet is a non-profit supported by Green Mountain Power, Casella Waste, and a broad range of sponsors in the Rutland community. Since 2023, Wonderfeet Kids’ Museum has been located in the Green Mountain Power Energy Innovation Center on Merchants Row. In the first twelve months since opening the new location, Wonderfeet served over 30,000 visitors. Children’s museums are a community wide investment in children and families. These institutions serve as a place of early discovery and the development of life-long learning. As cultural attractions, kids’ museums have a positive impact on the local economy by bringing visitors into downtown areas. Children’s museums strengthen entire communities by developing partnerships that involve schools, health services, youth organizations, corporate partners and community services with a focus on strengthening families and children. For more information, visit www.wonderfeetkidsmuseum.org

About Rutland County Head Start: Rutland County Head Start and Early Head Start are funded by the Office of Head Start (OHS) and administered locally by Rutland Community Programs as part of  Community Care Network. OHS administers grant funding oversight to about 1,700 such agencies. Since 1965, Head Start programs have reached 40 million children and families. Rutland County Head Start provides comprehensive services for pregnant women, children from birth to age five, and their families throughout Rutland County, Vermont. Head Start is dedicated to supporting the development of the child within the family, and the development of the family within the community. Learn more at www.RutlandCountyHeadStart.org.