Apply to the CPS Kindergarten Lottery,
January 5 – 30!
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Do you have a child who will be 5 years old by August 31, 2026?
Apply to the Cambridge Public Schools (CPS) Kindergarten Lottery between January 5 – 30, 2026!
- Families can register in-person or by email (more details below)
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It is very important to register for the CPS Kindergarten Lottery by January 30 at 4 p.m.
CPS Kindergarten Lottery Registration Options
Option 1: Families can register using the Aspen Online Registration System (OLR) and upload all documents to the OLR. The list of required documents is below.
Option 2: Families can register in-person at the SRC office by completing a physical registration packet.
Option 3: Families may fill out forms digitally or print and complete all forms and submit scans or photographs of all registration materials, including required documents, via email to the Student Registration Center.
Questions? You can reach the SRC at 617-349-6551 or email src@cpsd.us.
Need help applying? Reach out to Silvia Cote at the Center for Families! You can reach Silvia at scote@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-7280.
| Center for Families Events | | |
Winter Family Fun Day
Join us for family crafts, gross motor activities, movement games, face painting and more! The event will also feature a family performance, and all children will receive a free book.
When: Saturday, January 24
Time: 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Location: Peabody School Gymnasium
(70 Rindge Ave. Enter in the back of the school through Door #11.)
This free event is open to all Cambridge families with children age birth to 8 years old. A free, light lunch will be served.
No need to register, just come by!
For more information, contact Cynthia at cwoodward@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-6327.
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Infant Programming and Support
For Cambridge families with babies birth to 15 months old
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Baby Playgroups
Join us to talk with other parents / caregivers and enjoy activities and songs with your baby!
Mondays from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Fresh Pond Apartments Community Room: 1/12, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9, 2/23, 3/2, 3/9, 3/16
New location!
Tuesdays from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Frisoli Youth Center: 1/13, 1/20, 1/27 2/3, 2/10, 2/24, 3/3, 3/10, 3/17
Please register for one location. Registration required! Contact Kaleena at kthompson@cambridgema.gov or 617-349-3003.
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Fun with Ones!
A fun playgroup just for one-year-olds! Play, practice walking, and meet other families.
Wednesdays from 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Moore Youth Center: 2/4, 2/11, 2/25, 3/4, 3/11
Registration required! Contact Kaleena at kthompson@cambridgema.gov or 617-349-3003.
| | Parent / Child Activities | | |
Winter Playgroup
Where: Moore Youth Center (12 Gilmore St.)
When: Mondays, 1/26 through 3/16 (no group 2/16)
Time: 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Meet other families with young children, learn new activities to support your child's development, and have fun!
Registration required! To register, contact Kim at ktran@cambridgema.gov or call (617) 349-6385.
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Drop-In Winter Playgroup
Where: Fresh Pond Apartments Community Room (362 Rindge Ave.)
When: Tuesdays, 1/13, 1/20, 1/27, 2/3, 2/10, 2/24, 3/3, 3/10, 3/17
Time: 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Meet other families and have fun! Come prepared for messy activities!
Playgroups are for Cambridge families with children 15 months to 4 years old.
No need to register, just come!
Questions? Contact Marianna at mperks@cambridgema.gov or (617) 349-1723.
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Saturday Family Playtime
Where: 119 Windsor St.
When: Saturdays, 1/31, 2/7, 2/21, 2/28, 3/7, 3/14
Time: 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Join us for some indoor fun! We will have toys to play with, music, and activities! Fun for the whole family.
No need to register, just come!
Questions? Contact Marianna at mperks@cambridgema.gov or (617) 349-1723.
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Open Gym
Where: Gately Youth Center (70 Rindge Ave.)
When: Wednesdays, 1/14, 1/21, 1/28, 2/4, 2/11, 2/25, 3/4, 3/11
Time: 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Your child can run, jump, dance, and have fun! Playgroups are for Cambridge families with children 15 months to 4 years old.
No need to register, just come!
Questions? Contact Marianna at mperks@cambridgema.gov or (617) 349-1723.
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Pajama Storytime
Where: O'Neill Library (70 Rindge Ave.)
When: Tuesdays, 1/27*, 2/24, 3/31, 4/28, 5/26, 6/16
Time: 6:45 – 7:30 p.m.
*1/27 story time will be held at the Peabody School DHSP afterschool room due to library construction. Please enter through door #11.
Join us at the library for stories, songs, and rhymes to wind down the day!
No need to register, just come!
Questions? Contact Marianna at mperks@cambridgema.gov or (617) 349-1723.
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Drop-In Play Space for Providers
Where: Moore Youth Center (12 Gilmore St.)
When: Thursdays
Time: 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Join us for movement games and activities with the children you care for! Providers and children participate together. This group is for Cambridge childcare providers, nannies and the children they care for only.
No need to register, just come by! Questions? Contact Cynthia at cwoodward@cambridgema.gov or (617) 349-6327.
| | Parenting Workshops and Supports | | |
Moms' Groups
Choose one location to attend each month!
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North Cambridge: Peabody School (70 Rindge Ave.) on Fridays: 1/9, 2/6, 3/13, 4/10, 5/8, 6/5
NEW LOCATION!
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Central Square: Moore Youth Center (12 Gilmore St.) on Fridays: 12/19, 1/30, 2/27, 3/27, 4/17, 5/22, 6/12
Come talk about parenting experiences while doing a craft together! Light breakfast provided. Limited childcare available upon request.
Registration required! To register, contact Kim at ktran@cambridgema.gov or call (617) 349-5522.
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Parenting Journey Series
Where: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School (102 Putnam Ave.)
When: Tuesday nights 1/20 – 4/28 (no sessions 2/17, 3/24, and 4/21)
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Parenting Journey is a free 12-week parenting group for Cambridge parents with children birth through 8 years old.
This program helps parents take better care of themselves, gain new parenting skills and build strong relationships with their children.
Contact Sierra at sriley@cambridgema.gov or 617-349-5522.
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Cambridge Dads is a program for fathers and male caregivers who live, work, play, or pray in Cambridge.
Call or text us at 857-209-4964.
Follow us on Facebook (@CambridgeDads), Twitter (@CambDads), and Instagram (@CambridgeDads).
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Dads and Kids at the Gym
Come have a fun time playing with your children ages birth to 8 years old. Fun activities for everyone, even for babies! Light snacks provided.
When: Saturdays from 10 – 11:30 a.m.
North Cambridge:
Where: Gately Youth Center (70 Rindge Ave. Behind Peabody School)
Dates: 2/7, 4/11
Central:
Where: Fletcher Maynard Academy (225 Windsor St. Enter through playground on Harvard St.)
Dates: 1/10, 3/28, 5/9
This event is just for dads / male caregivers and their children only.
Registration required. To register, email Matt at cambdads@cambridgema.gov or text 617-453-8725.
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Virtual Meet-Ups
Come and chat with other dads/male caregivers about the joys and challenges of being a dad.
New Dads Group
For male caregivers with newborns to 18 months
Dates: 2/24
Time: 7:45 – 9 p.m.
Dads Talk
For male caregivers of children of any age
Date: 2/6
Time: 7:45 – 9 p.m.
To register, email cambdads@cambridgema.gov or text 617-453-8725.
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Nurturing Fathers
Coming on Wednesdays, starting February 2026!
The Nurturing Fathers Program is a FREE 13-week series that creates a space for fathers to discuss, reflect and gain tools to help with understanding how to be a nurturing and supportive father, while maintaining their authority and providing consistent guidance and structure.
For more information, email cambdads@cambridgema.gov or text 617-453-8725.
| | Resources and Supports for Cambridge Families | |
Help in a Bag
Do you have a question or concern abound your child's development? The Center for Families offers free resource bags families can borrow on the following topics:
- Sharing
- Potty Training
- Starting Childcare
- Biting
- Hitting
- New Baby in the Family
- Fun with Language
- More topics coming soon!
Each bag is filled with engaging books for toddlers and preschoolers as well as articles and resource lists, including websites for parents.
If you are interested in borrowing any of the resource bags or have any questions, contact Sierra at sriley@cambridgema.gov or (617) 349-5522.
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Cambridge Baby Boxes
Parents of babies have a lot to manage and the Center for Families is here to help!
Free diapers, wipes, community resources, and more!
Who can register:
- Families living in Cambridge with babies from birth to 12 months old.
How to sign up:
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Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) with The Center for Families
The ASQ online tool helps you to better understand all your child's different stages of development from one month up to 5 years old with activities you can do at home. It only takes about 10 – 15 minutes to complete the questionnaire!
If you need help access the ASQ or have questions, contact the Center for Families at centerforfamilies@cambridgema.gov or 617-349-6385.
| | Child Care Information and Resources | | |
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Looking for child care information and resources in Cambridge?
Yadling Richemond is the Child Care Information Specialist at the Office of Early Childhood here in Cambridge!
Yadling is available to support Cambridge families with all things child care related!
Yadling can be reached by email at yrichemond@cpsd.us, or you can call
617-349-6885 or 857-270-4384.
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More Resources and Supports for Families
Center for Families staff can connect you to local agencies in Cambridge and surrounding communities for assistance ranging from education, food, housing, and much more.
Reach out to our Case Manager, Silvia, to connect to local resources and supports:
email scote@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-7208.
| | The Center for Families is funded by the City of Cambridge, the Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) grant from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (DEEC), Children’s Trust, Cambridge Public Schools, and the Cambridge Health Alliance. | | | | |
