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Best Friend's Early
Learning Center
Infant, Toddler, Preschool Child Care
About Us
At Best Friend’s Early Learning Center in Chelsea, we believe every child deserves a safe, joyful place to grow, learn, and belong. Founded on the values of love, respect, and community, our center is more than a daycare — it’s a partnership with families. We nurture each child’s curiosity, celebrate their unique background, and build strong connections between teachers, parents, and peers. With a multilingual environment and an emphasis on inclusive learning, we help children discover confidence, compassion, and a lifelong love of learning from the very start.
The Owner's Story
Best Friend’s was founded in 1997 and is currently guided by Julie Brown, who combined her business expertise with a passion for education and community. Fluent in Portuguese and conversational in Spanish, Julie has created a center that embraces language, culture, and family partnership. Her vision is to provide high-quality child care that feels both personal and professional.
Our Commitment to Quality
Our center is guided by Massachusetts EEC standards and supported by teachers who receive ongoing training and professional development. With low staff turnover, families can count on consistent caregivers who know their children well and provide stable, nurturing relationships.
Safety First
Your child’s safety is our top priority. We follow all Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) licensing requirements, maintain secure entry and pick-up procedures, and train staff in CPR, First Aid, and emergency readiness. With low teacher-to-child ratios and strict cleanliness standards, you can feel confident that your child is always safe in our care.
Tri-Lingual Advantage
Children at Best Friend’s are immersed daily in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Research shows that early exposure to multiple languages strengthens memory, focus, and problem-solving skills, while preparing children for stronger academic performance in school. Our tri-lingual classrooms celebrate diversity and give children an advantage that lasts a lifetime.
Looking Ahead
Early childhood education is the foundation for a lifetime of learning. At Best Friend’s, we prepare children not only for kindergarten but for a future filled with curiosity, confidence, and a spirit of inclusion. We are proud to give children the very best start.
Our Philosophy
At Best Friend’s Early Learning Center, we believe that every child deserves a safe, loving, and language-rich environment where they can grow, explore, and thrive. Our philosophy blends the warmth of a family-centered approach with the structure of a professional early learning program, ensuring children feel cared for while building the skills they’ll carry into school and life.
Our teaching is guided by dialogue, curiosity, and compassion — inspired by educator Paulo Freire’s belief that learning happens through profound love and dialogue, not one-way instruction. In our classrooms, teachers and children learn from one another, co-creating knowledge through respect, play, and shared discovery.
Community & Family Partnership
We see parents as partners in their child’s care and learning. Through the Brightwheel app, classroom updates, and open communication, families stay connected every day. We proudly accept Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFA/daycare vouchers) without limits, making quality care accessible to all families in our community.
Cultural Roots That Shape Our School
Our philosophy is also deeply influenced by Haitian and Brazilian pedagogies, which share a belief that education is a pathway to community, resilience, and joy. In Haitian culture, school is more than a place to learn — it’s a gathering place built on mutual respect and the idea that education can transform lives. Children grow up understanding the value of hard work, cooperation, and pride in learning.
At the same time, our approach reflects the Brazilian tradition of relationship-based, joyful learning, where music, storytelling, and exploration spark curiosity and connection. These cultural foundations guide the way we teach, showing children that learning is not only about knowledge — it’s about love, belonging, and understanding one another.
Inclusive Care for Every Child
At Best Friend’s Early Learning Center, inclusion is at the heart of who we are. Every child brings unique strengths, challenges, and perspectives — and we believe those differences make our classrooms stronger. Our teachers are trained to support a wide range of developmental and learning needs, adapting routines and lessons so each child can participate fully and feel successful. We partner closely with parents, Early Intervention specialists, and local educators to provide individualized care and consistent support. By fostering understanding and celebrating differences, we create a community where every child feels welcome, valued, and capable of reaching their fullest potential.