Nurturing Capable, Healthy and Happy Children!

Born April 2015

Arwo Learning Center was opened in April 2015, dedicated to development of children in Portland. Now The Driscoll Learning Center, the vision to provide a safe and supportive environment where children can explore, build, and apply new skills has not changed. The Driscoll Learning Center works closely with parents to provide the highest quality care and education for children because your child’s learning, development and happiness can translate into future success in school and beyond. We believe that children thrive when parents and teachers establish strong relationships through respectful communication and collaboration. We look forward to partnering with you!

Our mission to nurture capable, healthy and happy children.

Philosophy

The Driscoll Learning Center aims to create a community of children, parents and educators working together to support and encourage children’s growth and enthusiasm for learning. We strive to create a developmentally appropriate classroom environment that not only reflects each child’s unique abilities but also encompasses their home culture and experiences as well. Our focus is on viewing the child as a growing individual and on expanding his or her interests and abilities to experience life to the fullest.

We teach a love for learning

The primary goal of The Driscoll Learning Center is to treat each child as an individual who actively learns at their own pace and in their own style. The environment, activities, and social interactions are designed to stimulate individuality, positive self-esteem, communication skills, and a life-long desire to learn. Through integrated experiences in all areas of the curriculum, the center fosters the growth of the whole child – emotionally, socially, cognitively, physically, and creatively.

We are healthy

We understand that food provided during care at The Driscoll Learning Center has an important impact in the growth of children and development of future eating habits.

NUT-FREE ZONE: Due to an increase in children with nut allergies, we attempt to be a nut-free zone. Please keep this in mind if you want to pack lunch for your child, or providing snacks for the classroom during special occasions. This includes peanuts as well as tree nuts such as almonds, cashews, walnuts, pine nuts (pinoli), etc.

Federal

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the Agency ere they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, heard of hearing, or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or

(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

State

The Maine Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, religion, ancestry or national origin.

If you wish to file a discrimination complaint electronically, please select File a Complaint and complete an intake questionnaire. Before completing this process it may be helpful to review relevant links under Guidance. If you are not sure how the Maine Human Rights Act may apply to, you please review the publication “What It Is! How It Works!“. Maine is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

At The Driscoll Learning Center we serve healthy plates with:

We are multicultural

The Driscoll Learning Center will provide high-quality early education, inclusive of all young children and their families, by fostering a sense of community and encouraging the children to discover new things about themselves, their friends, and the world around them. Our multicultural approach is expressed in our classrooms, each of which embodies a global theme. We celebrate ALL holidays and invite our families to share their cultural beliefs and traditions with the The Driscoll Learning Center Community.

We love to communicate

At The Driscoll Learning Center, we believe in the importance of open communication between parents and staff. This open communication provides consistency for the child and a balance of school and home. Parents and teachers work together to benefit each child.  Parents are welcome to visit and volunteer in their children’s classroom.

• Staff communicate daily with parents about their child’s progress during pick up and drop off
• Teachers utilize childcare daily reports to notify parents of daily activities, mood, eating habit, bowel movements and upcoming events.
• The Driscoll Learning Center distributes Monthly Classroom newsletters and Seasonal Center Newsletter for parents
• Open door policy with our Director
• Email reminders/notices of center happenings
• Share fun moments on our Facebook page

We take playtime seriously

Playtime at daycare makes children happier and improves concentration during lessons. Increasing the amount of time our kids spend actively and freely playing is good for their physical and mental health, development and independence.  At The Driscoll Learning Center there are designate time for Free Play at the beginning and end of each day in addition to outdoor time.  We have seen that giving children free play time to spend as they wish helps them to relax and recharge their batteries.

We are committed to the Portland Community 

We are delighted to partner with our neighbors at Park Danforth in the The Driscoll Learning Center Foster Granny Program. The The Driscoll Learning Center Foster Granny program provides a way for volunteers age 55 and over to stay active by serving as role models, mentors, and friends to our children.

Pre-K kids with Granny Karen