Our program offers an excellent teacher student ratio. We strive to maintain a 1:5 ratio in the 3-year-old program and a 1:6 ratio in the 4-year-old program. Art Play school offers a playground and two spacious classrooms that house the following interest areas: blocks, puzzles, play dough, dramatic play center, sand play, book area and art center.

Vital to our program is the art area where children can experiment with materials and gain satisfaction from their creative endeavors. Art activities allow children to make discoveries that express their thoughts, perceptions, and moods. In allowing children to freely explore art materials, teachers give specific comments on artwork to validate a child’s effort and interest. We also vary our curriculum based upon the interests and needs of the children as well as new interests of staff (e.g. we just embarked upon a unit focusing on geography inspired by the personal interests of one of our teachers).

Art Play fosters social responsibility in a safe environment where teachers set the tone for acceptable behavior. We have a strong focus on the children’s relationships with one another and us. By modeling positive social skills, we encourage social growth and kindness among the children. Additionally, they are encouraged to express themselves in social situations and with adult help they grow socially and emotionally with their peers.

Enrichment

Art Play provides special enrichment to each classroom with programs including:

• Weekly science experiments
• Movin' and Groovin' movement classes with Irene Jeffers
• Music classes with Ann Sparling The Music Lady
• Handwriting Without Tears fine motor skills program
• Movement and yoga classes with Stages Academy
• Insect Presentations with Clay Kirby, State of Maine Entomologist
• Children's Museum outreach program
• Presentations from Maine Audubon
• Spark's Ark presentations with David Sparks