Children’s Programs
The Early Childhood Department at UMF is home to three high-quality children’s programs which offer the opportunity for university students to learn from classroom experiences throughout their educational careers. In addition, the children’s programs serve as a site for course assignments and university-led research projects involving students and faculty from several campus departments.
The Sweatt-Winter Early Care and Education Center
The Sweatt-Winter Early Care and Education Program has provided full time care and education to children in Franklin County and the surrounding areas for 30 years. Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, Sweatt-Winter offers a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment for children ages 3-8. A preschool program for ages 3-5 and a before-and-after school program for ages 5-8 are available. Sweatt-Winter has the dual purpose of providing a model child care program for area preschool and school-age children and of serving as a training site for early childhood students. UMF students participate in practicums and internships from the beginning of their careers at UMF through senior internships and special projects. Students gain experience in planning using an emergent curriculum model. The Center has two locations. The preschool is located in the Children’s Center at Ricker Addition while the after-school program is located at the McGuire street Center. The hours are 6:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Monday through Friday, 50 weeks yearly. For more information about Sweatt-Winter Early Care and Education, please contact Dawn Brod, Center Director (207-778-7480,dawn.brod@maine.edu, dawn.brod@maine.edu).
The UMF Nursery School and PreKindergarten
The UMF Nursery School and PreKindergarten is a play-based, early educational experience based on developmentally appropriate practice. Curriculum is linked to the Early Learning Guidelines. The program operates 5 mornings per week from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. during the school year. Parents have 3 options for their children: Tuesday and Thursday mornings for children ages 3-, 4- and 5-years-old; Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings for children ages 4 and 5 years old; and a 5 day program for 4- and 5-year-olds. The program serves as a lab setting for UMF students, where best teaching practices are taught and demonstrated by on-site UMF faculty instructors. The program is located in UMF’s Ricker Addition building. For more information about the Nursery School and PreKindergarten program, please contact Monica Redlevske, Program Director and Teacher (207-778-7406, monica.redlevske@maine.edu).
The UMF Infant-Toddler Playgroup
The UMF Infant-Toddler Playgroup provides parents, caregivers, and young children (birth through age 3) an opportunity to socialize in a safe, educationally stimulating environment. Parents and caregivers have the opportunity to observe and interact with their children in a different environment while developing new friendships. Early Childhood students gain valuable teaching experience as they plan and implement the playgroups with expert faculty assistance. The Infant-Toddler Playgroups meet in a specially designed classroom at the McGuire Street Center. For more information about the Infant-Toddler Playgroups, please contact Dr. Dalila Lino, Program Director (207-778-7021, dalila.lino@maine.edu).