About OCYL Early Childhood Classes

Early Childhood Education is where children engage in  essential early learning experiences. OCYL’s unique early childhood classes are joyful, dynamic, and developmentally appropriate, with play as a key ingredient for learning.

Details

• Ages: 0 to 6
• School Year Literacy & Number Sense: Ages 3 to 5
• New! Seasonal 7-8 week Adult/Child Process Art: Ages 2 to 3 
• Seasonal 7-8 week Adult/Child Music & Movement: Ages 0 to 3 
• Seasonal 6-8 week Lunch/Class Combos:  For currently enrolled Level B Literacy & Number Sense Students only: Preschool Science, Music and Movement, Preschool Process Art, and Little STEAMers, 
• Summer: 4 weeks of Literacy & Number Sense in July & August from 9-11 AM for Kindergarteners entering 1st Grade and ages 3-5. Also offered for Level B current school year students: Preschool Science and Music & Movement Mini Camp – Buggin’ Out!  One week in June, 9:00 – 11:00 AM, Ages 4-5

OCYL’s Literacy and Number Sense classes are taught by experienced teachers and assistants. Class includes circle time, learning centers (where children explore and play) and teacher led activities in a 2-hour preschool setting. Students are assigned to Level A or B class.

Literacy Classes

Children learn literacy skills through a targeted curriculum that includes songs, poems, circle time, literacy centers, small and whole group activities, and read-alouds. Children engage in play and activities that are related to phonological awareness, alphabet  knowledge, print knowledge, comprehension, reading and writing.  

Number Sense Classes

Children learn math concepts through games, circle time, songs, learning centers, whole group activities and everyday math related experiences and problem solving. Children engage in play and activities that are related to number recognition, counting, and using  numbers and language to compare quantities. Sorting, patterning, shapes, measurement, graphing, and number formation are included in the curriculum.

More about student assessments: Click here to see last year's assessment summary!                                                                

Our teachers support all children during self-guided discovery, construction of knowledge, and development of skills utilizing a curriculum that aligns with RI Early Learning & Development Standards. During class time, teachers also support each child’s development of language, cognition, social/emotional, and motor skills. Formative assessments are utilized by the teaching teams throughout the school year to aid in measuring children’s progress and to inform teaching and learning of specific early learning goals. 

Teachers create a safe environment nurturing  each child’s potential through positive, developmentally appropriate interactions that promote self-confidence and motivation to learn.

Teachers communicate with families as partners in their child’s education and development and are open to finding answers to questions from families while respecting children’s varying learning styles and home environments. All Lead Teachers, Teacher Assistants, OCYL Staff and Volunteers act professionally in the classroom/building and when interacting with families to create a joyful place for learning and growing, as we strive to serve children and their families in our community.

Click here for the latest Early Childhood Brochure

2026-2027 School Year- Registration typically opens the first Wednesday in March @ Noon. Call now to schedule your new student tour! (401)475-0929 x1 

Current Level A students in the 2025-26 school year) will have the option to register early on 2/11/26- watch for a handout!

School Year Cost per student:

September - May, Ages 3-5

Cumberland Residents*: $1,320 (Literacy, 2 mornings/week), $660 (Number Sense, Friday mornings)

Non-Residents: $2,640 (Literacy, 2 mornings), $1,320 (Number Sense, Friday mornings)

Summer Cost per student- 4 weeks beginning in July (Regitration date and start date TBA)

Cumberland Residents*: $180 (Literacy, 2 mornings each week), $90 (Number Sense, Friday mornings)

Non-Residents: $360 (Literacy, 2 mornings), $180 (Number Sense, Friday mornings)

Financial Assistance: 

Please note- thanks to the generous support of the Town of Cumberland, this rate is significantly discounted compared to the actual cost of running the classes. 

Additional Financial Assistance is available for Cumberland families who apply and qualify: We have a sliding scale and automatically approve families who receive Free/Reduced Lunch via an older child in the schools. You can get a copy of this approval letter from a school secretary.

About STEAMshop Programs

The STEAMshop is a place for student-centered expression, creativity, innovation, and out-of-the-box thinking. Students are empowered to take creative risks to develop perseverance, resourcefulness, critical thinking, collaboration, communication, creativity, teamwork, and flexibility for the 21st century.

Details

• Grades: Kindergarten (beginning in Winter) to 9th Grade.  High School Students may apply to volunteer for service hours. 

• Seasonal 8-Week, Afternoon & Evening & Saturday Programs: Art classes, Chess, Coding, Creation Lab, Private Music Lessons in Guitar/Piano/Voice, and more hands-on topics! Watch our social media and posters for registration dates and class lists.
• Summer: Camps and 6-Week Evening Programs: Check for class listings in spring. Registration opens in April.

About Youth Empowerment & Wellness Programs

OCYL has renamed the Backpack to Briefcase program to “Youth Empowerment and Wellness programs”. Registration opens December 6^th.

The OCYL is expanding its middle and high school programming to offer local youth more opportunities this Winter. Through Youth Empowerment and Wellness Programs, OCYL teaches skill development, learning through service projects, communications, and mental health and overall well-being. The mission of the initiative is to develop civic-minded youth, future leaders, and to enhance youth voice, through positive, uplifting, and healthy learning experiences. Goals include introducing youth to local government, helping students communicate effectively, creating opportunities for building community, expanding social connections, and developing personal well-being through social-emotional awareness and arts opportunities. Registration opens Saturday, December 6^th at 9 a.m.

Details

• Programs that begin in January 2026 include: 
  • The Home Heating Assistance Council: The Home Heating Assistance Program has been a project of OCYL’s Cumberland Youth Commission since 2008 and has helped numerous Cumberland families stay warm each Winter.
  • New this year, Juniors and Seniors are invited to volunteer on the Council beginning in January to participate in service-learning efforts that will help families keep their homes and apartments warm this winter. Students will drive fundraising efforts, learn about basic home budgets, and community advocacy in a meaningful and tangible way.
  
  

  OCYL instructor Ben Gettinger will offer this program in 2026, on four Mondays from 5- 6 PM beginning January 12^th, and Tuesday- Friday during February break from 12- 1 PM. Participation will give students a chance to earn volunteer hours toward graduation requirements. No fee to participate.

  • Getting the Most from the Teenage Years: This new, two-part workshop series is designed to give parents and adolescents important mindset skills that will help them optimize this vital stage of development. Part 1 is for the parent/guardian, and Part 2 is for youth.
     The teenage years are one of the most important times of development for your child, but unfortunately, many parents fall victim to the misconception that it is just a heavy and difficult stage that needs to be endured. These years can be an opportunity for growth and transformation when approached through an inspiring lens. Both parent and teen can develop habits and awareness skill-sets that create a path toward living a fulfilling life through the teen years and beyond!
  • Participants will gain practices and practical tools that will help parents and teens excel and flourish during this bewildering, yet amazing, period of transformation and expansion. Together, we’ll dismantle myths about the teenage mind, understand this crucial period of brain development, and learn to spot common mistakes. Everyone will learn self-development and awareness practices that can make a healthy and lasting impact on your whole family. It will be informational, productive, and fun! 
  
  

  Ben Gettinger will run Part 1 for parents/guardians on Saturday, February 28^th and Part 2 for youth in grades 6-10 will be held on Saturday, March 7^th, from 1:30- 3:30 p.m. Free for parents/guardians. Fee is $35 per student or $15 for Cumberland residents who qualify for the free/reduced lunch rate.

  • Expressive Arts Clubs: Middle Schoolers are welcome to join this fun, art-making class as a creative and empowering way to express themselves and their emotions. Students will learn to take care of themselves by identifying and expressing emotions to cope with or even transform them. This relaxed, judgement-free zone is for kids with all interests. No art, music, or writing experience necessary. BIPOC and LQBTQIAA+ students are encouraged to participate.
  • At least one social-emotional competency is embedded in every lesson, including self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision making, social awareness, or relationship skills. There may be therapeutic effects from participation, but the program is not intended to be group therapy or counseling.
  
  

  The Clubs meet at McCourt on Tuesdays and North Cumberland on Mondays for 9 weeks beginning in January. The program is free thanks to a grant from the Arts and Health Initiative of the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts. Taught by certified art teacher Greta Kroessler, and youth instructor, Ben Gettinger.

  • Volunteering: Youth, age 13 and up, are invited to apply to the OCYL volunteer program. Youth are matched with a program and commit to attending regularly to assist in the classroom. It provides an opportunity to be a “peer mentor,” learn how to interact with younger students, and see how teachers and instructors implement programs, while often participating and having fun!   Complete the application located on the website and submit it to K-12 Programs Coordinator, Meghan Mania at mmania@cumberlandri.gov.
  
  
• Expressive Arts Brochure