Growing Together Child Care (GTCC) is licensed to provide care for up to 8 children complying with capacity ratios as outlined in the current Family Child Care Licensing Rule.
Following the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Growing Together Child Care does not discriminate in the administration of its education or admissions policies, admitting children 6 weeks of age to 12 years old, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin or disability into it’s program. Being responsive to individual learning needs and interests, as needed, activities are appropriately modified.
The Multi-age care program at Growing Together Child Care offers:
- continuity of care supporting the development of trust and feelings of security for both children and their families;
- opportunity for siblings to be together;
- opportunity to make friends across a variety of ages and interact with children at different developmental levels;
- variety of different contact patterns supporting development of social emotional and language skills
- opportunities for older children to experience and learn responsibility.
Growing Together Child Care does not offer what many would consider a formally structured curriculum. We work from a program-generated method of curriculum development. GTCC is a cognitive based program that combines with the idea of approaching learning opportunities for all children meeting them where they are developmentally. With “Intention” we will do the best we can by all the children in care. We have the ability to mix and match the best from a variety of programs, resources and focused philosophies as needs and interests indicates.
Learning here is play-based and as child-directed as possible. Projects done during our days are developed around the interests and skill levels of the children participating, using the local school system Kindergarten Readiness, Maine Early Learning Development Standards(MELDS), which includes: the Infant and Toddler (ITMELDS) and the Preschool (PMELDS) and CDC Developmental Milestones covering infants through school age.
It is important and developmentally beneficial for children to be outdoors and actively engaged. Following the current FCC Licensing Rule regulations regarding extreme weather conditions and air quality the ideal is to spend the majority of each day outside. Outside active play includes: hiking, running, climbing, biking, digging, and snowshoeing. Gardening is also an indoor/outdoor learning opportunity at GTCC for children to participate in. Personally, I also think it is important for children to learn how to be inside remaining active and engaged in activities, so physical activity whether outdoors or inside is an important part of our play. Active indoor activities include: yoga, dancing, movement games, and creative play. Play equipment is checked daily and anything needing repair is removed from usage until fixed.
Parental communications are an important part of providing quality care to the children attending Growing Together Child Care.
Although there is daily discussion between myself or staff and a child’s parents/legal guardians regarding each child’s experiences at home and during our day, I am always willing to set up a time for a more private conversation to discuss any concerns. GTCC also schedules an annual conference for each child in care. For families with siblings we will provide separate focused discussion on each child at the conference. If a child leaves care before the scheduled conference GTCC offers an exit conference.
Daily written notices are not provided unless requested by the child’s parents/legal guardians. A child’s parents/legal guardians may provide a template of a form with the information they would like to have completed daily for them.
Technology continues to change and I will use a variety of what is available to provide timely access to a child’s parents/legal guardians when and where needed to support our work as a team for their child.
Current communication avenues:
- Seesaw – a digital portfolio app used to document each child’s learning journey. Free individual parent account.
- Text Messages
- Google Drive – Child Records – care agreement maintained in private folders that parents/legal guardians have access to view and/or download.
- GTCC Website – direct links for current Family Child Care Licensing Rule, care agreement, emergency preparedness plan, parenting resources, and QRIS level requirements
The annual Family Survey is accessed from the website sidebar.
Growing Together Child Care 