Baby Steps

 

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About Us

Baby Steps is a parent education program designed to help parents/caregivers of children from birth to 5 years of age gain a better understanding of child development as well as acquire the skills to raise happy, healthy children.  Modeled after the “Baby College® of Harlem,” Baby Steps was established in 2009 through a consortium of educational and social service agencies in Newport. It includes educational sessions on child behavior and positive parenting; communication and language development; developmentally appropriate learning and cognitive development. The goal of Baby Steps is to ensure that each child, by the age of 5, develops a full and vibrant vocabulary along with social skills that will effectively prepare him/her for pre-K or kindergarten. Another goal of the program is to ensure that parents/caregivers receive the education and support they need during the pivotal first five years of their children’s lives.

Our Sessions

Baby Steps helps parents/caregivers understand how their children learn, communicate, and develop. Monthly sessions include:

• Child development instruction that helps parents develop skills to be successful first teachers to their children and to understand how their children learn
• Reading and music sessions
• Fun arts and crafts activities for the whole family to enjoy
• Free books and supplementary diapers and wipes
• Referrals to social services and health care as needed
• Field Trip experiences (1-2 per year)
• Educational presenters

Our sessions are held from September – May, with graduation in June for children who will be attending Kindergarten in September.  Baby Steps families may choose to attend the following sessions:

• Saturday Morning from 9:30am-11:00am (Head Start, Newport)
• Thursday Morning from 10:30am-12:00pm (Middletown Public Library, Middletown)
• Tuesday evening for Spanish speakers from 4:30pm-6:00pm (Conexion Latina, Newport)

Please refer to our yearly calendar for more information: 2024-2025 Baby Steps Monthly Sessions Dates 2024-2025 Fechas de Las Sesiones Mensuales de Baby Steps

People We Serve

Baby Steps serves families with children from birth to 5 years of age, as well as pregnant women. Families throughout Newport County (Newport, Middletown, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Jamestown) are welcome to join our program. Older siblings are always welcomed. There are no income requirements. New families that would like to sign up can fill out an intake form or contact us: Cristina Boza, Baby Steps Coordinator: Phone number: 401-367-2001, ext. 2226 Email: babysteps@ebcap.org

How You Can Enroll

To enroll in the Baby Steps program, please use the following link- https://apply-ebcap-ri.codect.io/registration?appid=9

Location(s) of the Program

*The mailing address is EBCAP 8 John H. Chafee Blvd. Newport, RI 02840

How You Can Help

We have many opportunities for volunteers, such as spending time with the children during sessions, assisting families with arts and crafts, session preparation, and other activities. Those who are interested can contact the Baby Steps Team by emailing babysteps@ebcap.org.  Families who participate in the Baby Steps program do so free of charge. Operating costs are raised through annual board giving, community donations, and grants. Donations are greatly appreciated and can be made online or by mailing a check, payable to East Bay Community Action Program (“Baby Steps” in memo), to: East Bay Community Action Program, Attn: Finance Department, 19 Broadway, Newport, RI 02840. Thank you!