The Children’s Center has our oldest and largest program located in Augusta, Maine. The center has been around for over 50 years. It provides center-based services to about 75 children and case management services to approximately 125 children.

The program also provides the most variety of services in one location, including childcare, special education, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, autism program, behavioral support program, targeted case management, and caregiver education series.

The Children’s Center in Augusta is an inclusive childcare and preschool education setting. The child care rooms embed preschool programming throughout the day. Each classroom focuses on the development of cognitive, language, communication, fine and large motor, activities of daily living, emotional growth, and sensory play.

Children learn through daily developmentally appropriate opportunities to explore, create, manipulate, and experiment. Progress will be monitored through daily observation and data collection to ensure each child’s success.

1 Alden Avenue
Augusta, ME 04330
Phone: (207) 626-3497
Toll-Free: (800) 894-6264
Fax: (207) 621-6211

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Augusta Classrooms

Each large, sunny classroom is equipped with developmentally appropriate materials. The Children’s Center is licensed as a child care facility by the Department of Health and Human Services. It is an approved provider for Child Development Services (CDS). All children attending the Children’s Center will have access to the Center’s beautiful, fully accessible playground.

Childcare hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Specialized Service hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Seedlings

The Seedlings environment offers a first classroom experience for children 6 weeks – 18 months old. Children’s individual schedules will be followed as they learn about the world around them. Staff strengthens family attachments while encouraging children to interact with and trust other adults and children in the classroom. Activities will foster strong and healthy bodies, encourage curiosity, enhance effective communication, and promote positive social interactions.

Growing Sprouts

Growing Sprouts allows children who are 18 months to 3 1/2 years old to learn through play and to work on developmental goals set for each child on an individual basis. Goals include social skills (sharing and understanding emotions), cognitive skills (recognizing shapes, colors, and problem-solving), motor skills (running, climbing, cutting, writing), building independence, and developing self-help skills. Sensory play, movement, finger play, and songs are embedded into daily activities.

Bursting Blossoms

Bursting Blossoms prepares children ages 3 ½ – 5 for the transition to kindergarten. The curriculum focuses upon pre-kindergarten skills as well as continuing work on individual goals.

Sunflower

The Sunflower room offers a structured curriculum that is focused on a child’s individual IEP goals. Services occur in a classroom with a maximum number of 3 children, each assigned to an Education technician. Certified 282 Special Education teachers oversee the program. As appropriate, opportunities are provided for a child to visit in our inclusive classrooms. The Sunflower Room is most commonly used as a transitional placement to another Special Purpose or LRE program.

Busy Bees

Busy Bees offers a specialized program with a highly structured curriculum and a higher teacher-to-student ratio than the preschool classrooms. This setting promotes increased independence, positive social skills, extended cognitive skills, and enhanced emotional regulation.

Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds offer a highly structured curriculum and a higher teacher-to-student ratio than preschool classrooms. This specialized program promotes increased independence, positive social skills, extended cognitive skills, increased opportunities for communication, and enhanced emotional regulation.

Stepping Stones I, II, & III

Stepping Stones is a classroom for four children with autism spectrum disorders transitioning from home to a specialized setting. Each child works with an individual specialized instructor toward obtaining their goals. This program focuses upon increased independence and preparation for a less restrictive environment or transition to public school. Group and individual specialized instruction occur daily.