Our Mission
Children at play are the cornerstone of our center of excellence. Our teachers provide a vibrant learning environment that nurtures curiosity and bravery through hands-on learning. Our school thrives with the support of engaged parent volunteers and alumni. Together we provide an enduring foundation for lifelong learning.
The Children’s Center (TCC) was founded in 1978 by a group of students and faculty at Westbrook College, and the preschool grew into a lab school for the College’s education degree program. In 2000, the University of New England (UNE) purchased Westbrook College and closed its childhood program. Rather than close The Children’s Center, a group of dedicated parents worked with the University to preserve it as a private school.
Today, The Children’s Center’s commitment to quality and community continues to thrive through our service as a practicum site for Southern Maine Community College and the University of Southern Maine, and through our continuous efforts to enhance our program using recent early childhood education research and best practices. Parents and community members serve on The Children’s Center Board and work with the Executive Director to create a model education center for young children. The Children’s Center is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) and serves approximately 100 families and children in the greater Portland area.
Our Story
Philosophy & Curriculum
At The Children’s Center, we provide the environment essential for children to flourish at the “hard work” we call play. The sights and sounds here reflect the joy, curiosity, and imagination children bring to all kinds of pursuits. The Children’s Center asks teachers to be intense observers of children’s play and create curriculum using The Project Approach and Reggio Emilia inspired practices. In an emergent curriculum, students experience enriched activities that build on children’s strengths in all areas. Each day is filled with activities like art, music, storytelling, reading, outdoor play, dramatic play, circle time, and many hands-on explorations. We greatly value and create purposeful opportunities for children’s social and emotional growth, helping them to develop skills in self-control and self-awareness, so that they become independent, confident learners.
We place great importance on connecting home life with school and believe that a child’s transition to their first school experience is best supported through relationships with our families. Each year, teachers begin connecting with their families and new students through home visits. Parent-teacher conferences are held twice a year and ongoing communication about children’s lives is fostered through strong parent-teacher relationships and daily conversation.
Outdoor Classroom
Our center is expanding our outdoor space with a certified outdoor classroom! This is a huge win for us and our students, as research has shown that spending time in nature can benefit children in many ways. Our goal is to provide more opportunities for our students to explore and learn about the natural world, while also promoting physical and mental health and environmental stewardship.
By creating a dedicated outdoor learning space, we are excited to offer children a structured and intentional learning experience in nature. Our teachers will receive special training to use this space effectively and provide high-quality outdoor learning experiences for our students. With this addition, children will have the chance to engage in hands-on learning experiences, manipulate natural materials, and foster creativity and problem-solving skills.
In addition to the many educational benefits, spending time in nature also has positive effects on children's physical and mental health. Our students will have increased opportunities for physical activity, reduced stress and anxiety, and an overall sense of well-being. We believe that by providing a designated outdoor learning space, we can create a fun and engaging environment that promotes learning and healthy habits.
Moreover, a certified outdoor classroom promotes environmental stewardship and a connection to the natural world. Our students will have the opportunity to learn about the environment and develop a greater appreciation for the natural world. This not only benefits the environment but also promotes a sense of responsibility and citizenship in young children.
It's important to note that our certified outdoor classroom meets specific requirements for safety, accessibility, and educational effectiveness. We want to ensure that all of our students can learn and explore in a safe and accessible space that is specifically designed to facilitate learning in a natural environment.
What does this mean for our playground? Over the next few years, we will be adding new features to our outside area, such as upgraded outdoor furniture, outdoor documentation boards, and more. One of the first steps we are taking is adding new signage to the playground, which will clearly identify areas on the playground such as a builders' space, nature art area, water area, gathering area, and more.
We are thrilled to offer a certified outdoor classroom to our students at The Children's Center. We believe that this addition will enhance our already amazing outdoor space and provide even more opportunities for our students to connect with nature. We are excited to continue to provide our students with the best possible learning experiences and promote a lifelong love for the environment. Thank you for being a part of our community and sharing in our excitement!
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Commitment to Diversity
Resolution of the Board of Directors at The Children’s Center, Adopted December 16, 2021
“The Children’s Center values the individuality of each of our students, families, staff, and community members. TCC believes strongly in the truth that belonging is essential for healthy development and well-being; for this reason, we take seriously our responsibility to provide personalized care that cultivates an environment where everyone belongs. Our learner-led curriculum requires us to know the whole picture of a child’s reality to help them understand and prepare for the world. TCC is devoted to guiding children’s exploration in an emotionally and physically safe environment.
TCC validates the whole self of each child, understanding that a person’s experiences and background will affect their self-identity in profound ways. We value, explore, and celebrate the aspects of identity, that:
Connect us, such as feelings, and our basic needs for safety, acceptance, and love.
Group us, such as race, language, nationality, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, body size, belief system, socioeconomic status, family makeup, neurodiversity, and more.
Distinguish us as unique, due to the aspects of identity that intersect to form our distinct individuality and experiences.
We teach, protect, and practice the values of belonging, equity, kindness, and hope in order to nurture our students in their journey of self-understanding, self-expression, self-love, and as they begin to understand and value an inclusive community. We strive to apply an equity lens in all that we do. We recognize that identities are intersectional and those that occur at TCC are shaped by wider structural processes that advantage some and disadvantage others. TCC seeks to accommodate people who have historically felt uncomfortable or unsafe in other environments, and envelop them into our institution equally and civilly. TCC is committed to engaging in action in support of our members.
We respect that our community is made up of people from all classes, races, genders, and many other things that help us identify. We therefore pledge to continue to listen, learn, and re-evaluate our practices and policies as our society continues to evolve. That being said, we understand topics may arise naturally in a learning environment that can make some uncomfortable. We expect all who join our community to honor our philosophy of encouraging people to ask questions and hear how things are experienced by people in different ways. We strive to cultivate a safe space where students, teachers, families, and caregivers can safely explore inequities, recognize systematic marginalization, challenge privilege, act to build more inclusive communities, and build realistic hope for communities of connection.”
** The TCC Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) committee is a space where dialogue is welcomed and discomfort in the process is safe. We strive for a more equitable and inclusive TCC and broader community. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us for any reason, or to join, email: diversitycomm@tccmaine.org
Accreditation
The Children’s Center (TCC) maintains the rigorous standards of excellence set by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and is licensed by the Maine State Department of Human Services and Maine State Department of Education. The Children’s Center has 5 stars from Quality of Maine Rising Stars.
Creating a Nurturing and Collaborative Learning Environment
Our Core Values
DISCOVERY
We nurture curiosity through hands-on learning, fostering a foundation for lifelong exploration and growth.
ENGAGEMENT
Fostering seamless home-school connections, valuing families' vital role in a child's educational journey alongside engaged community members, volunteers, and alumni.
PROGRESS
Committed to quality; we integrate best practices in early childhood education using the project approach and inspired by the Reggio Emilia Philosophy.
GROWTH
Embracing a growth mindset, we enhance our skills by staying updated with the latest best practices in early childhood education, thus fostering ongoing improvement in our early childhood education skills.
INCLUSION
Committed to fostering an inclusive environment celebrating every unique voice, where each feels valued, heard, and empowered in our vibrant community.
COLLABORATION
Taking responsibility and embracing diverse viewpoints, we foster a nurturing, innovative environment for collaborative achievements.
COMMUNITY
Cultivating an inclusive, kind, and empathetic work culture; celebrating achievements, prioritizing well-being, and fostering strong community bonds.
WELLNESS
Valuing social and emotional growth, we aid children's development of self-control and self-awareness, nurturing their overall well-being.