Buds and Blossoms

Buds & Blossoms is a Mandarin immersion child care and early education center in Boston’s Chinatown, serving infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Its approach is inspired by the Reggio Emilia schools of Italy, with a play-based, student-directed curriculum that grows from children’s curiosity and has parents and teachers working together as learning partners. Native Chinese-speaking educators teach in Mandarin, so children learn a second language through immersion while developing their natural gifts and talents.

Unlike many Reggio Emilia programs that run only half days, the center offers full-day care five days a week. It is a program of the Asian American Civic Association, a nonprofit that has provided education and social services to immigrants and linguistic minorities in Greater Boston for nearly 50 years. The staff includes director Xiao Mei, who holds early childhood credentials, and a coordinator who teaches Chinese language, culture, arts and crafts, music and calligraphy. One parent review praises clear, consistent communication.

What to Know

• The center is licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
• The center is just minutes from the train station in Chinatown.
• One staff member speaks English, Mandarin, Cantonese and some Japanese.
• Its Chinese name is 启萌幼儿教育中心.