What We Offer...
Child and Family Opportunities (CFO) offers child care, Early Head Start and Head Start services in centers located across Hancock and Washington Counties. In operation since 1970 CFO is Down East Maine's premier early care and education provider. Our centers provide safe, healthy environments for children and curriculum that is planned to meet the varying developmental needs of the children in each classroom. Further the curriculum incorporates the State of Maine Early Learning Guidelines and the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework. In Hancock County, CFO’s Early Care and Education Centers are located in Bucksport, Ellsworth, Sedgwick, Stonington and Sullivan. In Washington County centers are in Calais (2 locations), Harrington (2 locations), Jonesport, Lubec, and Machias (2 locations). Many of our centers offer Early Head Start and Head Start in combination with childcare services as well. See our locations on our homepage for more information about the services we offer in your community.
childcare
At Child and Family Opportunities (CFO) we understand the needs of working parents. Our child care centers are open hours that accommodate most parents needs for care. Children spend their time at our centers with well-trained staff who provide guidance and care for them throughout their day. Activities are based on children's interests and developmental needs both in the classroom and outside on our playgrounds. We provide nutritious, well-balanced meals (breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack) at no additional charge to all enrolled children. Our centers are closed for only 6 holidays,the week of Christmas and 5 staff training days throughout the year and remain open when school is canceled due to inclement weather.
Our classrooms are designed with children in mind. We provide multi-age groupings in our classrooms. We believe that mixed age grouping provides for continuity of care (maintaining relationships with their teachers or caregivers), more individualized curriculum and it feels more like a “natural” family. Our preschool classrooms are for children ranging in age from 3 to 5 yrs. until kindergarten-eligible and have up to 20 children enrolled with three teaching staff assigned to each group of children. Our infant and toddler classrooms are for children ages 6 weeks to 3 yrs and have eight children in each group with three caregivers. Our staff receive ongoing training and professional development that increase their skills in developing caring supportive relationships with children and families.
Our child care rates are below the State of Maine market rates for our area. In addition we offer State of Maine childcare subsidies and accept State of Maine voucher, ASPIRE and TANF transitional childcare subsidies. We also offer a sliding fee scale for those families that do not qualify for any other subsidy. Applications are available at each of the Centers and staff are happy to assist parents with the application process. If you would like to receive an application through the mail, or need further information or assistance in applying, please contact our Enrollment Specialist at 1-800-834-4378 or 207-667-2995.
head start
Head Start is a free preschool program for children, age 3 through 5 until kindergarten-eligible, funded through the Administration of Children and Families, Office of Head Start and the State Office of Head Start. Head Start is available to children and families who meet federal income eligibility guidelines, as established by the Office of Management and Budget. Ninety percent of the children must meet income guidelines and at least 10 percent of those accepted will be children with disabilities. The program includes a preschool classroom experience for children, a range of health and social service supports, and many opportunities for parent involvement. Nutritious meals are provided to each child in a family style setting. Parents are encouraged to participate in classroom programs, home visits with staff, center activities, and on policy-making boards and committees.
Applications are available at each of the local Head Start Centers and staff are happy to assist parents with the application process. If you would like to receive an application through the mail, or need further information or assistance in applying, please contact our Enrollment Specialist at 1-800-834-4378 or 207-667-2995. You may also click on the link below for our application.
early head start
Early Head Start is a program for infants and toddlers and their families, the Administration of Children and Families,Office of Head Start and the State Office of Head Start. Early Head Start is available to children and families who meet federal income eligibility guidelines, as established by the Office of Management and Budget. Ninety percent of the children must meet income guidelines and at least 10 percent of those accepted will be children with disabilities. Early Head Start encompasses a comprehensive range of services, including child development, health, nutrition, social-emotional well being, and social service supports. Parents are encouraged to participate in classroom programs, activities, and on policy-making boards and committees. Approaches to feeding, napping and toileting are individualized according to the needs of each child. Child and Family Opportunities (CFO) offers center based Early Head Start services at its Ellsworth, Machias and Calais locations. We have full time care and some part time care available.
Applications are available at each of the local Head Start Centers and staff are happy to assist parents with the application process. If you would like to receive an application through the mail, or need further information or assistance in applying, please contact our Enrollment Specialist at 1-800-834-4378 or 207-667-2995. You may also click on the link below for our application.
Our Approach to Preschool and Infant and Toddler Programs
Pre-School
Get ready, set, have fun! Our classrooms and curriculum support children to learn through play. Each classroom includes areas for dramatic play, writing, science, blocks, sensory experiences, manipulatives, art and library. Curricula are designed using the State of Maine's Early Learning Guidelines and are individualized for each child including all developmental areas. Children spend time outside each day on well-equipped playgrounds and have a time for rest each afternoon. Nutritious meals ( breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack) are provided to each child in a family style setting at no additional cost. Parents are encouraged to visit their child's classrooms and participate in classroom programs, and activities. In addition, we offer home visits whose purpose is to link a child's home and and classroom experiences as well as parent teacher conferences several times a year. Our preschool classrooms are for children ages3 to 5 yrs. (until kindergarten- eligible) and have up to 20 children enrolled with three teaching staff assigned to each group of children. Applications are available at each of the local Head Start Centers and staff are happy to assist parents with the application process. If you would like to receive an application through the mail, or need further information or assistance in applying, please contact our Enrollment Specialist at 1-800-834-4378 or 207-667-2995.
Infant and Toddler
Our infant and toddler programs are supported by caring staff and created to meet the developmental needs of infants and toddlers. We provide multi age groupings in our classrooms. We believe that mixed age groupings provide for continuity of care (maintaining relationships with their primary caregivers), more individualized curriculum and it feels more like a “natural” family. Our programs are designed to meet each child's physical, social, emotional, cognitive and language development through a variety of planned activities and experiences. Approaches to feeding, napping and toileting are individualized according to the needs of each child. Parents are encouraged to participate in their child's program and assist staff in planning activities for their child. Our infant and toddler classrooms are for children ages 6 weeks to 3 yrs and have eight children in each group with three caregivers. Infant and Toddler services are available at our Calais, Ellsworth and Machias locations Applications are available at each of the local Head Start Centers and staff are happy to assist parents with the application process. If you would like to receive an application through the mail, or need further information or assistance in applying, please contact our Enrollment Specialist at 1-800-834-4378 or 207-667-2995.
our curriculum
Child and Family Opportunities promotes a child centered, emergent approach to developing curriculum. Our curriculum includes attention to goals,experiences, roles, materials and equipment.We believe that the most meaningful curriculum reflects the real lives of children and their families, and encourages many various levels of play. The curriculum is respectful of, and sensitive to, cultural diversity and expects and appreciates individual differences. We believe that young children are active learners who need various opportunities for self-directed exploration and discovery, social interaction, and problem solving to support their individual growth and development and social competence.
Our teachers and caregivers plan a balance of child-centered, adult-directed activities. Activities are designed to use children's interests to teach them core developmental skills in the areas of language development, literacy, pre-math and science skills, creative arts, social and emotional development,and physical health and development. Parents are an integral part of curriculum development at CFO. We believe that parents are children's first and most important teachers. We value parents' insight and knowledge about their children. Curricula are designed using the State of Maine's Early Learning Guidelines as well as Head Start Child Outcomes Framework and are individualized for each child in all developmental areas. Curriculum webs are developed and posted in classrooms to share with parents. In addition to Head Start Performance Standards, Child Outcome Framework and State of Maine Early Learning Guidelines, following are resources used in the development of CFO's curriculum:
- Developmentally Appropriate Practice - NAEYC; Sue Bredekamp and Carol Copple, Ed.
- Emergent Curriculum by Elizabeth Jones and John Nimmo
- Reflecting Children's Lives by Deb Curtis and Margie Carter
- The Art of Awareness by Deb Curtis and Margie Carter
- Anti-bias Curriculum by Louise Derman-Sparks and the A.B.C. Task Force
- Roots and Wings by Stacey York
- Creative Curriculum and Connecting Content, Teaching and Learning by Diane Trister Dodge
- National Head Start S.T.E.P. Manual, UT Health Science Center at Houston
- Learning to Read and Write by Susan B. Neuman, Carol Copple and Sue Bredekamp
- Kidwatching: Documenting Children's Literacy Development by Yetta Goodman and Gretchen Owocki
- Prime Times by Jim Greenman and Anne Stonehouse
- Infants, Toddlers and Caregivers by Janet Gonzalez-Mena and Dianne Widmeyer Eyer
- Educating and Caring for Very Young Children: The Infant/Toddler Curriculum b Doris Bergen, Rebecca Reid and Louis Torelli
- Creating Child Centered Programs for Infants and Toddlers - Children's Resources International, Inc. Elanor Stokes Szanton, Editor
- Innovations: The Comprehensive Infant & Toddler Curriculum by Kay Albrecht and Linda G. Miller
- Simple Steps by Karen Miller
- First Art by MaryAnn Kohl, with Renee Ramsey & Dana Bowman
- Games to Play Series by Jackie Silberg
- As I Am produced by Child and Family Opportunities, Inc.
- CFO Written Curriculum Plan and Resources
our community collaborations
*Click on the name to link to their website (if available)
Head Start and Pre-K within the Calais Public School is a collaboration between CFO and the Calais Public School. We offer two sessions of Head Start/Pre-K services with 4 year old Calais residents prioritized for enrollment. The program, housed in the public school, is staffed by both CFO and public school employees and follows Head Start Performance Standards and the State’s Early Childhood Learning Guidelines. The program is part day and operates during the public school year.
St. Croix Early Care and Education Center at Washington County Community College (WCCC) is a collaboration between CFO and WCCC to provide full-day, full-year Head Start and child care on the campus of the college with WCCC students given priority placement for services. The program serves children ages 6 weeks to preschool age 5.
Lubec Learning Center is a collaboration between CFO, Lubec Elementary School and the Regional Medical Center of Lubec (RMCL). The program, housed at the public school is staffed by CFO, RMCL and public school employees and follows Head Start Performance Standards and Early Childhood Learning Guidelines.
Step By Step Center is a collaboration between CFO and a privately owned child care center. The program, housed in the Step By Step Childcare Center in Steuben and staffed by CFO and Step By Step employees, follows Head Start Performance Standards and Early Childhood Learning Guidelines.
Peninsula Early Care and Education Center is a collaboration between CFO and the Sedgwick Elementary School, funded in part by the St. Francis Episcopal Church Community Fund of Blue Hill. Services are offered both part day/year and full day/year. The program housed in the Sedgwick Elementary school and staffed by CFO, follows Head Start Performance Standards and Early Childhood Learning Guidelines.
Mt View Elementary School is a collaboration between CFO and the Schoodic Community School district and housed at the Mt. View Elementary School in Sullivan. We offer two sessions of Head Start/Pre K services, in the morning and afternoon. The program, housed in the public school, is staffed by both CFO and public school employees and follows Head Start Performance Standards and State Early Childhood Learning Guidelines. The program is part day and follows the public school calendar.
Washington County Community College Partnership - - Providing child care/Head Start for college students on campus in Calais and serving as a practicum site for college students and high school students enrolled in ECE programs.
Bucksport Jewett School Partnership - - City applied for CDBG funds to renovate space in their Jewett School/ Bucksport Community Center for our Head Start program (which expanded to two classrooms with the move.) Closer collaborations with kindergarten, Adult Education and city recreation services as a result.
Bucksport Bay Area ECE Network, a subcommittee of Bucksport Bay Health Communities - - Head Start Center manager shares this community collaboration sponsoring annual kindergarten readiness fair. Also the recipient of funds to pilot a “family resource center” which will serve as a one-stop shop for families in Bucksport and will be staffed by Head Start.
Hancock County Child Development Services - - Jointly plan for and deliver disabilities services to children enrolled in Head Start.
Washington County Child Development Services - - Jointly plan for and deliver disabilities services to children enrolled in Head Start. Head Start staff serve on our local LEA’s Advisory Board in Washington County.
Washington County Children’s Program - - Our Machias Head Start Center is housed in the same building as this early intervention program and we jointly serve five children with disabilities who need a small group Developmental Therapy program in the a.m. and Head Start/child care in p.m. We also share space with WCCP at our Harrington center in the afternoons for another small group DT program.
Washington County Children’s Program Dental Program - - The program provides a Mobile Dental clinic to our Washington County Head Start Centers staffed with a dental hygienist who examines children’s teeth. The Dental Hygienist serves on our Health Services Advisory Committee (HSAC).
Public Health Nursing - - Nurses provide technical assistance to our staff on such issues as communicable diseases, etc. Nurse serves on our HSAC and they provide TB testing for agency employees.
Child Care Opportunities Resource and Development Center - - The RDC provides training to Head Start staff. Our Head Start content experts provide some limited TA to area child care providers.
Down East Health Services Women, Infant and Children’s Program - - We provide space in four of our Head Start Centers for WIC clinics. WIC nurses provide health information to our staff on children who are in both our programs (with parent consent.) The WIC manager serves on our HSAC.
Family First Advisory Board - - Our Education/Disabilities Manager serves on this home visiting program’s Advisory Board and a home visitor serves on our HSAC.
Penquis Community Action Program - - We are a sub-contractor to Penquis in delivering Early Head Start services to 24 infants/toddlers. This relationship supports closer staff involvement, training, networking, etc. for both our programs.
Washington County Dental Task Force - - Several agency staff serve on this collaborative task force that is trying to address the dentist shortage issue and work toward providing local hospital dentistry for young children.
Washington County Training Group - - Our Machias center manager serves on this group of local agencies meeting once a month for in-depth supervision training from a local area consultant.
A Statewide Breast Feeding Coalition - - Our Health Manager serves on this statewide committee that promotes breastfeeding.
Washington County Case Resolution Committee - - Head Start staff serve on a coordination committee of local service providers who plan for and coordinate multiple services for families in crisis.
Washington County Child Abuse and Neglect Council - - Head Start staff serve on this council which attempts to prevent child abuse and neglect through education.
University of Maine Cooperative Extension - - Their nutrition educators provide parent and staff nutrition training in our Head Start Centers and their staff are invited to serve on our HSAC.
Community Caring Collaboration – - Head Start staff participate with this grassroots system-of-care group dedicated to serving at-risk infants, young children and their families in rural Washington County. The target population of the CCC includes infants affected by substance abuse, developmentally delayed infants, toddlers and preschoolers affected by trauma, infants born to teen parents or under-sized/preterm newborns. The mission of the CCC is to conceptualize and plan for a seamless, family-driven, culturally-competent, strength-based system-of-care.
Special Children’s Friends - - Head Start staff serve on the Board of this special purpose program for children with disabilities.
Health Partnership-Tobacco Cessation Collaboration - - Centers working in partnership with Healthy Peninsula to imbed a system for addressing tobacco use and exposure by identifying families at risk and provide positive encouragement and support to families as they move towards becoming tobacco free.
Regional Medical Center of Lubec’s Healthways FSNE Collaboration - - CFO partnered with RMCL using grant funds to target a number of families from each Washington County Head Start center to do intensive training and education to improve nutrition habits. Parents participated in nutrition education through hands on cooking activities at their local center allowing them to experiment with new foods they might not other wise buy and develop recipes to regularly include those foods in their families’ diet.
Sedgwick/St. Francis Collaboration - - Collaboration between CFO and the Sedgwick Elementary School, funded in part by the St. Francis Fund of Blue Hill. The program, housed in the Sedgwick Elementary school and staffed by CFO.
Coming Soon: Ellsworth School Pre-K Collaboration