The Turrell Fund is proud to highlight one of the 2025 Landon Award winners: Bennington Early Childhood Center!
What is the Bennington Early Childhood Center?
Bennington Early Childhood Center (BECC) is a nonprofit preschool that serves children ages 1-6, providing them with an educational program that is intellectually challenging and developmentally appropriate.
BECC’s program is designed to encourage children to develop both as individuals and as part of a group.
The emergent curriculum at BECC allows students to engage in their expressed interests while also learning about the world they live in.
Bennington Early Childhood Center’s Work
BECC has 6 acres of land, which will be turned into an outdoor play space as an extension of the classrooms.
Children will have access to a wood chipped play space, a meadow with a story walk to incorporate nature-based lessons, and a wooded area with hammocks and a mud kitchen.
BECC’s outdoor space will also include new swings, a 200-ft bike path, provisions for shade, hillside slides, and 5 new natural climbing pieces for preschoolers.
Having a renovated space will allow students to freely interact outdoors, encouraging movement, creativity, and collaboration.
How Bennington Early Childhood Center Fosters Exploration
BECC’s model is designed to inspire children’s development both mentally and physically.
Children are provided with agency to learn about what is most important to them, and through the outdoor space, they can explore the environment around them.
BECC also supports collaboration among parents, teachers, and the community – ensuring that children have the resources they need to thrive.
The Turrell Fund congratulates the Bennington Early Childhood Center and supports its mission to provide high-quality early childhood education that is impactful. Thank you for all that you do!
