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  • External link opens in new tab or windowjanelittlefriends@msn.com
  • External link opens in new tab or window122 Wardtown Road Freeport, ME 04032
littlefriendsdaycarefreeport.com
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There are no strangers here,
 only friends waiting to be met.

External link opens in new tab or window☎ 207-659-4734☎ 207-659-4734

Please call if your email is not responded to, The Director strives to return all emails in a timely manner. If following up with a phone call please repeat your phone number twice to ensure clarity. Thank you.

Trusted Childcare Center

Toddler and Preschool Program Profile

Little Friends Early Learning Center is a personalized childcare center in Freeport, ME owned by Jane Purdy. We offer care for children ages 12 months to 5 years. Our center supports 2 classrooms, a preschool classroom and toddler room. The preschool classroom is attended by 16 students and the room for toddlers will have up to 8 students daily. Our goal is to help every child to experience the joy of learning. We strive to teach the whole child by fostering social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth. We treat children as individuals, and try to help them reach their fullest potential. Children learn through play and social interaction with peers and adults. Age-appropriate, teacher-directed early learning activities are supplemental. The program is designed to help each child achieve age-appropriate development by kindergarten entrance.

Director Profile


“My name is Jane Purdy, and I have worked as a child care professional for more than two decades. This includes two years as an elementary school teacher and 31 years as the owner and director of Little Friends Early Learning Center. I hold a bachelor's degree in education, and have two sons of my own. I am also greatly involved in my community, both in school and sports. I have been committed to volunteer work in the school classrooms as well as a little league coach and team coordinator for local football teams. I strive to be current and well trained in the early childhood education field.”

Staff


Little Friends Early Learning Center has shown a history of long-term relationships with staff. The center supports 4 full-time teachers and one part-time afternoon aide. Two cooperating teachers work in unison in each classroom (preschool and toddler). The lead teacher has a degree in the field of Education. Our assistant teachers have experience, training, some college courses, and a love for children! The staff is trained yearly in CPR and first aid. Staff do participate in staff meetings, take courses, and keep updated in current research in the field of early childhood education. Staff achieve at least 30 hours of training time yearly.

Indoor Setting


Our staff understands child development and the various ways children learn and process information. This information was used to help create the teaching and learning environment at Little Friends. The staff recognizes and responds to age- appropriateness and individual differences. Our indoor setting is clean, organized, and varied. The furniture and environment are child friendly and organized thematically. Toys and books are rotated, and also frequently cleaned. There is opportunity for both active and quiet play as well as group and individual play areas.

Outdoor Setting


Our center's country setting offers ample opportunity for outdoor play. The children play in a spacious natural play-yard. This setting includes open outdoor space with grassy fields and a gentle rolling slope. Trees provide areas of shade. The students test their skills on the large wooden play system that is specifically designed for children under the age of five. The play system from Cedar Works of Maine boasts natural, splinter free wood. The play-yard also offers an indoor play house. This indoor arena is filled with beach sand and a variety of toys, sporting goods, and dramatic play opportunities.

Meals and Snacks


Parents are asked to provide a morning and afternoon snack and a healthy lunch for their child to bring to school. Candy and soda are not allowed at the center; healthy choices are encouraged. The children sit at tables family style. The staff role model and teach table manners as well as encourage positive social interactions. Allergies and dietary restrictions are closely monitored with an individual plan in place for every child.

Rest Times


All children will be provided with an opportunity for a minimum of one hour of rest. Sleepers are offered ample time to follow the needs of their sleep cycle. Non-nappers do have a quiet time with books and/or rest time comfort toy. Rest time follows the lunch routine. Children rest from 1-2, but many fall asleep before and stay sleeping for longer times. The individual needs of children are respected. Children are offered comfortable rest mats. Families do supply a cotton crib sheet and optional rest time buddy (small stuffed animal). Rest time is quiet and peaceful with classical music playing in the background. Our staff will provide comfort, and assist children to provide a positive, safe setting.

Fees


Little Friend's fees include full time or part time care as well as special classes, celebrations, snacks, and the majority of a child's daily needs.Special classes include such activities as cooking class, guest readers, math graph lessons and science experiments. Celebrations include any themed special days and in the year end, a center-wide gathering highlighting a musician. The Center provides daily needs for the children with the exception of diapers and wipes and food. Please refer to current Rate Schedule under the Rates Tab.- on this website.

YEARLY SCHEDULE AND HOURS OF OPERATION


Our childcare center operates daily Monday-Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Children ages 12 months to five years may attend fulltime, daily, or half days. The part-time schedule is generally on a Tuesday/Thursday basis or a Monday/Wednesday/Friday schedule. A half day student would come in for the morning early learning time and leave after lunch at 12:15. We offer both full-time care as well as a complete curriculum for half day learners. Our center operates year round with vacation weeks and holidays. Vacation weeks include school vacation weeks as set forth on the Freeport Public school calendar. This will include a holiday vacation in December/January, February, and April school vacation weeks. The 2nd week in August is always reserved as a summer week off. Two vacations are paid, and two have no pay required. Days off will also include Labor Day Break, Indigenous People's Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Break, Martin Luther King, Memorial Day, Juneteenth and two staff training days.

Testimonials About Our Learning Center

With more than 30 years of experience, Little Friends Early Learning Center in Freeport, ME has a history of longevity with families and their children as well as long-term staff members. At our learning center, the teachers are dedicated, the families are supportive and the children are awesome!
 
Discover below, from staff and parent reviews, why Little Friends Early Learning Center may be the right placement for your family.

Testimonials From Parents


By J.B.

"I wish that every parent could find the perfect fit in a school for their child, like I have for mine at Little Friends."

By C.H.

"Thank you for the truly phenomenal care that my children have received at your daycare. Your daily projects, activity time, fun learning styles as well as TLC have made the children's truly memorable and enjoyable. I feel quite strongly that they could not have received better care anywhere else."

By T.S.

"Thanks for providing a program with the perfect amount of structure and play time. Our kids both felt welcomed, loved, and challenged. All of us have fond memories of Little Friends."

By J.B.

"I just wanted to write you a letter to let you know how much I appreciate all that you and your staff have done for my child. I think you have the greatest toddler and preschool program around. I have looked around and there is no facility that measures up to little Friends. As you know, I travel many more miles to bring my daughter to your school. There is no other school that teachers show as much dedication, skill and understanding as yours. My daughter feels safe and appreciated and she has learned a great deal."

By S.N

"Thank you very much for providing quality childcare. You should be proud of the care you provide for the children in our community."

By J.D.

"Since we have placed our son in your Center we have noticed a wonderful transformation. Thank you for taking such special care of our son."

By B.S.

"There is a significant difference at Little Friends and we are fortunate to be part of it."

By M.S.

"The teachers and program at Little Friends are first rate, and we miss it."

By D.B.

"Little Friends was a safe, secure, fun and engaging place for my daughter (and all the kids!), and there is no way to express my gratitude and appreciation for all your hard work and energy."

By K.M.

"I want to personally thank you all for the great care and learning you have provided for my two children. It is priceless to have peace of mind."

By J.F.

"Thank you to you and your exceptional staff, for everything. I love your passion for what you do and your desire to continually stay on top of changes and new developments in your field."

By J.G.

"The girls had the most wonderful caring and loving teachers. Thank you. You have a great thing going with Little Friends."
Testimonials from Teachers


By P.K.

"I have been working at Little Friends for 15 years and have seen so many positive changes take place, but a few things have remained constant—It is a structured program and every child is taught as an individual."

By S.K.

"With such small numbers (low teacher to student ratios) it is easier to bond with the children on a more personal level."

By S.K.

“I love the open and high level of communication we have as Staff members and also have with the parents."

By B.R.

"I am so thankful to be working at Little Friends. It brings me so much joy to work with young children. I love where I work!"

By L.B.

"The children love to play in the clubhouse and on the play system and I too love the big beautiful back yard!"

By M.H.

"Thank you all for making the past two years so much fun. Whoever replaces me is very lucky. The staff is great in every way. Although I am sad to leave, I am happy knowing I always have a wonderful place with friends at Little Friends."

By K.G.

"You care so much for your Staff and I am so lucky to be one of them. Thank you for allowing me to be here—I am forever grateful!"

By E.D.

"I can remember coming here as a child and how excited I was and how enjoyable my days were. I started at Little Friends as a substitute—being asked to stay as a Teacher was a dream—I couldn't be more pleased or thankful to work at Little Friends."

Learn More About Our Learning Center

Here at Little Friends Early Learning Center, we make sure that all the needs of your children are attended to properly. Count on us to educate and look after your little ones. Give us a call today for more information about our learning center.

Little Friends Early Learning Center

Jane Purdy, Owner/Director

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Contact Info.

122 Wardtown Road

Freeport, ME 04032


External link opens in new tab or window207-659-4734


janelittlefriends@msn.com
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Hours of Operation

Monday
08:00 am - 05:00 pm
Tuesday
08:00 am - 05:00 pm
Wednesday
08:00 am - 05:00 pm
Thursday
08:00 am - 05:00 pm
Friday
08:00 am - 05:00 pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed
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External link opens in new tab or windowBest Local Business Award

  • Winner of the Best Local Business
    and Best Camp/Day Care
    2014, 2015 and 2016

Payment Options

VENMO

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