Melrose Day Care Center

Melrose Day Care Center and Preschool, known as MDCC, is a private, nonprofit, non-sectarian early childhood center caring for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Toddler rooms hold eight to nine children, while three preschool and pre-K classrooms of 14 to 18 children serve ages two years nine months to five years. Its mission is to support each child’s social, emotional, physical, language and cognitive development in a warm, safe setting.

The center was founded in 1971 by Melrose residents, including members of the First Congregational Church, which set aside space in its new building for a daycare serving the whole community. Amy Spollett saw the need and recruited Janet Runge to help start it. MDCC opened with room for 40 preschoolers and later added toddler and infant rooms, a new playground, gardening and participation in the city’s compost program.

What to Know

• In 1997 MDCC became the first center in Melrose to earn NAEYC accreditation.
• It received Level 2 QRIS recognition in 2013.
• Co-founder Janet Runge still serves on the board of directors.
• The center has two infant rooms.