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There is currently one opening in our infant classroom! Please contact vicky@bearcubmandarin.org for inquiries, arrange a tour, or join our waitlist.
“One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way.”
“One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way.”
- Frank Smith
- Frank Smith
About Bear Cub Mandarin
About Bear Cub Mandarin
Bear Cub Mandarin Immersion Preschool, Infant & Toddler Center in Arlington, MA is a boutique program offering a Mandarin immersion environment in all our classrooms through a Reggio Emilia-inspired, play-based, child-centered education.
Bear Cub Mandarin Immersion Preschool, Infant & Toddler Center in Arlington, MA is a boutique program offering a Mandarin immersion environment in all our classrooms through a Reggio Emilia-inspired, play-based, child-centered education.
Bear Cub's children, ages 4 months to 6 years old, are given a space developmentally safe and appropriate to explore, collaborate, observe, and experiment guided by native Mandarin-speaking teachers. Outside of circle time meetings and class activities, teachers look for and create moments to enhance each child’s experience and to provide Mandarin language exposure in context and real-time.
Children are born with the ability to learn any language. Experts say that children should begin to learn a foreign language from a young age, and the younger, the better. Inspired by the profound Reggio Emilia’s "The Hundred Languages" - the belief that children are natural communicators - Mandarin is offered as one important means by which children may explore and experience the world. Whether you are looking to introduce Mandarin as a second or third language, or to reinforce the language spoken in your home, we encourage you to consider Bear Cub Mandarin as the place to facilitate your child’s world of learning and exploration.
“Learning another language is not only learning different words for the same things, but learning another way to think about things.”
“Learning another language is not only learning different words for the same things, but learning another way to think about things.”
- Flora Lewis
- Flora Lewis
Philosophy
Philosophy
We believe that young children are powerful, capable, and autonomous individuals. In our child-centered environment, teaching is both intentional and flexible, and children are recognized as unique people with their own feelings, thoughts, and experiences. Our Reggio Emilia-inspired Mandarin immersion program provides children the opportunity to hear, learn, and use complex language, and our curriculum supports diverse learning processes and a wide range of school-readiness goals. Our knowledgeable and well-qualified teachers come from diverse backgrounds and share a deep love for young children. Through careful observation, our teachers create the optimal learning habitat for each child, with just the right amount of coaching. We are devoted to forming sincere connections and building meaningful relationships with each of our preschoolers, and always seek opportunities to encourage and cultivate their social and emotional skills.
Facilities
Facilities
We offer brand new facilities at 1042, 1052-1056 Massachusetts Ave, Brattle Square in Arlington, MA, custom designed to reflect the principles of our curriculum philosophy and to enhance the learning environment. Every detail, from the floor to the ceiling, has been meticulously considered and attended to with the utmost care and intention.
Our Story
Our Story
Finding a calling that transcends passion and inspiration can take years, but in December of 2018, the vision struck. Puzzle pieces from our lives started to take formation and we realized our calling to offer a unique and important opportunity to our community. Realizing that such a lifestyle and immersion in language is greatly beneficial and advantageous for our own children, we combined efforts to establish Bear Cub Mandarin Immersion Preschool Academy with a desire to offer the invaluable opportunity of a Mandarin immersion program to the children in our community, and to establish a legacy through language that may ultimately impact the global community. As parents, it is our hope to provide the best upbringing, training, and opportunities to our children as we prepare to launch them into the adult world that is waiting for them. We invite you to join us and co-create the legacy for our next generation.
The Chang Family
The Chang Family
MaeLynn Arnold and Hao-Ming Chang are co-founders of Bear Cub Mandarin Immersion Preschool Academy. They run a bilingual (Mandarin and English) household with their five children. MaeLynn holds a B.M. and an M.M. in violin performance from Boston University and is a Suzuki certified instructor. Hao-Ming Chang holds a Ph.D. in molecular oncology and immunology from New York University School of Medicine.
Enrollment Policies
Enrollment Policies
Please contact vicky@bearcubmandarin.org about tuition information, openings, arrange a tour in person or online, join the waitlist, and all other inquiries. Enrollment is open year-round and offered based on availability. There are currently no openings till Fall 2025, however we always encourage families to join the waitlist as openings can come up unexpectedly. We currently have active waitlists for 2025, 2026, and 2027. There is no fee to join the waitlist.
Please contact vicky@bearcubmandarin.org about tuition information, openings, arrange a tour in person or online, join the waitlist, and all other inquiries. Enrollment is open year-round and offered based on availability. There are currently no openings till Fall 2025, however we always encourage families to join the waitlist as openings can come up unexpectedly. We currently have active waitlists for 2025, 2026, and 2027. There is no fee to join the waitlist.
Once an approximate start date is established, a place may be held by submitting a deposit within one week of committing. Being put on the waitlist does not secure a placement in any of our classrooms. A place may only be held by making a deposit.
Once an approximate start date is established, a place may be held by submitting a deposit within one week of committing. Being put on the waitlist does not secure a placement in any of our classrooms. A place may only be held by making a deposit.
*Deposits are non-refundable under any circumstances but may be used towards the last month's tuition when the required 60 days notice is given*
*Deposits are non-refundable under any circumstances but may be used towards the last month's tuition when the required 60 days notice is given*
*Tuition must be paid every month to maintain your enrollment. There are no refunds, discounts, or breaks in tuition fees during extended family vacation or travel.
*Tuition must be paid every month to maintain your enrollment. There are no refunds, discounts, or breaks in tuition fees during extended family vacation or travel.
*Current students, please note, 60 Days notice is required for schedule changes.
*Current students, please note, 60 Days notice is required for schedule changes.
Class Schedules
Class Schedules
Preschool Programs
Age 3 to 5 years old
Five Half Day
Five Half Day
V
V
M + Tu + W + Th + F
M + Tu + W + Th + F
8am ‑ 11:45am or
1:15pm ‑ 5pm
Year-round
Three Half Day
Three Half Day
III
III
Mon + Wed + Fri
Mon + Wed + Fri
8am ‑ 11:45am or
1:15pm ‑ 5pm
Year-round
Two Half Day
Two Half Day
II
II
Tuesday + Thursday
Tuesday + Thursday
8am ‑ 11:45am or
1:15pm ‑ 5pm
Year-round
Five Full Day
Five Full Day
V
V
M + Tu + W + Th + F
M + Tu + W + Th + F
8am ‑ 5pm
Year-round
Three Full Day
Three Full Day
III
III
Mon + Wed + Fri
Mon + Wed + Fri
8am ‑ 5pm
Year-round
Infant and Toddler Programs
Age 3 months to 35months
Infant: Five Full Day
Infant: Five Full Day
V
V
M + Tu + W + Th + F
M + Tu + W + Th + F
8am ‑ 5pm
Year-round
Toddler: Five Full Day
Toddler: Five Full Day
V
V
M +Tu + W + Th + F
M +Tu + W + Th + F
8am ‑ 5pm
Year-round
*Transition schedules to move up to the next classroom are arranged at the director's discretion as space is available.
*Current students, please note, 60 Days notice is required for schedule changes.
*The deposit is one month's tuition fee which may be used towards the last month's tuition when the required 60 days' notice is given. Deposits are non-refundable under any circumstances.
For the school calendar of events, holidays, and breaks, please go to the calendar page.
Careers at Bear Cub Mandarin
Careers at Bear Cub Mandarin
Teacher / Lead Teacher/Infant and toddler Teachers/Teacher Assistant
Teacher / Lead Teacher/Infant and toddler Teachers/Teacher Assistant
Full and part time positions with competitive salaries/benefits.
Full and part time positions with competitive salaries/benefits.
If you are excited about the opportunity to help shape and design our Mandarin immersion preschool, please consider joining our team!
We are looking for teachers and lead teachers to collaborate in designing our (Reggio Emilia inspired) emergent curriculum, establish close and effective relationships with our students and their families, provide an assessment of students through documentation, and contribute to cultivating the best schedules and opportunities for both our teachers and students.
** Our teachers must be native Mandarin speakers, have a degree and background in an early childhood related field, and be EEC certified. **
** Our teachers must be native Mandarin speakers, have a degree and background in an early childhood related field, and be EEC certified. **
Contact Us
Contact Us
We invite you to get in touch by emailing us at contact@bearcubmandarin.org.
To learn more about our program or for inquiries about tours and openings, please write to vicky@bearcubmandarin.org.
School Address
School Address
Brattle Square1042 Massachusetts AveArlington, MA 02476
Phone #: (781) 819-0898
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