In designing our learning environment and curriculum for preschool, we reference the Maine Early Childhood Learning Guidelines, which were developed in response to President Bush's early-childhood initiative "Good Start, Grow Smart." The guidelines are geared to improving Maine's early-childhood programs and readying preschoolers for kindergarten and lifelong learning.

We maintain a 1-to-10 caregiver-to-preschooler ratio.

We ask that your child arrive dressed for the day, with clothing appropriate for both indoor and outdoor play, including closed-toe footwear (preferably sneakers), snow pants, boots, and hats and mittens for winter play. They should keep a fresh change of clothes at Bambinos at all times.

Bambinos provides snacks and drinks for the day.

LEARNING AND EXPLORATION CENTERS

We provide several learning centers with materials and activities to enhance your child's exploration in different areas:

• Dramatic Play
• Reading
• Large Motor Skills
• Fine Motor Skills
• Science

Children have chances throughout the day to explore each area that interests them. Concepts to be explored within the centers include but are not limited to the following:

• Science
• Social Studies
• Creative Arts
• Personal and Social Development
• Early Language and Literacy
• Mathematics
• Health and Physical Education

MORNING MEETING

During Morning Meeting time, we talk about the calendar, the weather board, and weekly themes. We sing songs and read books, often pertaining to our theme. We share thoughts and ideas. We practice patience, good listening, and good manners. These meetings can be short or long, depending on the attention span of the group. With such a wide age range of children, we try to keep the younger children interested while keeping the older ones challenged.

OUTDOOR EXPLORATION

When we venture outdoors, whether to the playground or for an excursion around the Pineland Farms campus, we move our bodies walking, running, jumping, and climbing; we use our senses seeing planes fly overheard, listening to birds sing, feeling the wind on our faces, and smelling the freshness of the farm air; and we become familiar with our surrounding and all that nature has to offer.

COMMUNICATION

We do not lose sight of the fact that your child's first teacher is YOU! With that in mind, we consider ourselves partners with you in ensuring that your child's learning experience at Bambinos is positive and productive. We encourage you to keep the lines of communication open and touch base with us daily. We will also post daily happenings on the board along with reminders and special events. As always, please feel free to ask questions or express any issues or concerns you may have.

DAILY SCHEDULE

7:00 - 8:45
Welcome! Free-choice center exploration

8:30
Memorial School bus pick-up

8:40
Dunn School bus pick-up

9:00 - 9:10
Clean-up/Wash-up

9:10 - 9:30
Snack and potty

9:30 - 9:50
Morning meeting - songs, calendar, weather board, sharing time, stories

9:50 - 10:30
Art/Fine-motor activity

10:30 - 11:20
Outdoor/Gross-motor activity

11:20 - 11:30
Clean-up/Wash-up

11:30 - 12:15
Lunch

12:15 - 12:30
Potty

12:30 - 12:45
Stories/Books

12:45 - 2:45
Quiet/Rest

2:45 - 3:30
Wake-up/Table activities

3:15 - 3:30
Bus drop-off

3:30 - 3:45
Clean-up/wash-up

3:45 - 4:15
Snack and potty

4:15 - 5:30
Outdoor play/Free-choice center exploration