Toddler (18 Months - 3 Years)

Toddlers need consistent relationships with teachers who provide experiences appropriate to their newfound motor skills, who are models for language development, who understand their concern about separation, and meet their need for love, support, and nurturing. Parents of toddlers are often learning themselves and our teachers see themselves as a resource for families. Our toddler program addresses the specific needs of children this age.

Preschool (3 - 5 Years)

Preschoolers are full of curiosity about the world. By this time their relationships shift from teachers to peers. They need time to interact with different materials, people, and places so they can solve problems and make experienced choices. Children of this age especially need to feel their questions and opinions are valued as they explore things that are different. Giving preschoolers an opportunity to make decisions helps them understand their impact in the world.

Kindergarten (5 - 6 years)

The Children's Center Kindergarten Program is an approved program by the Maine Department of Education. The kindergarten year is a transition from preschool to more traditional academic learning. Through daily journals, book-making, shared morning messages and stories, children become immersed in and excited about reading and writing. Children are exposed to a number of concepts and begin problem solving skills through manipulative math materials. Most important, however, a kindergartner needs to be in a nurturing environment where the child's self-esteem is the most critical aspect of development.

Special Purpose Preschool (3 - 5 Years)

This is a preschool classroom for children with special needs beyond those that can be accommodated in our typically developing preschool classrooms. This program offers a teacher-to-child ratio of 1:3 and a curriculum that is modified to help children meet the goals of the Individual Family Service Plan (I.F.S.P.). Staff in this program work in a collaborative manner with parents, referral agencies, case managers, therapists (speech, occupational and physical), psychologists and medical personnel.

The Children's Center is an approved site for the Department of Education Child Development Services, and we are committed to the inclusion of children with special needs in our programs.