Register for Preschool for the 2024-2025 school year!
New Families: begin your registration HERE.
Before and After Care Registration for the 2024-2025 school year is open,
New Families: begin your registration HERE.
For information about any of our preschool or childcare programs, email or call the childhood education coordinator at childhooded@rsu5.org (207) 865-6171 ext. 326
Laugh & Learn Programs
Preschool
Our Preschool programming meets the developmental needs of children (aged 3-5) while at the same time inspiring them to love and appreciate the world of nature. Our thoughtful and child focused preschool curriculum combines traditional Kindergarten readiness learning with age-appropriate educational activities. Our embedded literacy and numeracy are designed to teach children about the natural world, health and wellness, and the importance of getting outdoors. We value the importance of "play" and social emotional learning as a part of early learning as a whole.
Since 2019, Laugh & Learn Preschool has operated at the Mast Landing School.
Before and After Care
The Laugh & Learn Before and After school program provides high-quality early childhood learning that encompasses the hours adjacent to a child’s school day. We provide a creative and structured environment, combining age-appropriate activities designed to teach children about the natural world, exercise and physical fitness, health and wellness, nutrition, and the importance of getting outdoors. During the morning hours your child will be allowed to let their creative side flourish with a variety of craft projects and creative centers within the classroom. We allow plenty of time after school for your child to unwind outside (weather permitting), finish school work, or create. We do encourage an environment for your child to do homework and/or receive assistance. A snack is provided during the aftercare portion of the day. We serve children in the Durham, Morse Street, Mast Landing, and Pownal Community Schools.
Durham
Before Care: 7:00am-8:30am
After Care: 3:00pm-5:30pm
Freeport
Before Care: 7:00am-8:30am
After Care: 3:00pm-5:30pm
Pownal
After Care: 3:00pm-5:30pm
Registration
'24 - '25 Preschool: Open
'24 -'25 Before & After Care: Open
There is a non-refundable annual registration fee of $50 due for each child registered with our program. This will be on the first invoice in September for the new school year, or on the first invoice when registered for the current school year.
Looking to join our team of caring, smart and fun teachers? We are hiring for the current and coming school year. Click here to apply or reach out to childhooded@rsu5.org
PHILOSOPHY
The State of Maine Early Childhood Learning Guidelines (3-5) acknowledge that play, in concert with adult planning, guidance, support, and follow-up, is a vital experience of early development and promotes development of the whole child. It is important that children explore and apply new skills through experiences that are interesting, satisfying, and respectful of their desire to touch, hear, see, smell and taste. It is also important that we recognize their natural drive to use both their small and large muscles throughout each day. Through play in a content-rich environment, children not only develop social and motor skills, but also begin to make sense of the world around them, building the foundations they will need to become capable, enthusiastic learners, and responsible, healthy adults.
We believe that nature plays a vital role in the physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development of young children. Research shows that children who spend time in nature are healthier, can think more clearly, have an easier time paying attention, and have the ability to cope with stress more effectively. Childhood experiences in nature help stimulate children’s curiosity and interest in the world around them and help them grow intellectually in their desire to better understand the world and their place in it. We believe that children’s interactions with the natural world allow for the development of a lifetime of skills. Our preschoolers spend time outdoors almost every day, where they can fully engage all their senses in a safe and nurturing environment. When the weather is too extreme for outdoor exploration, children are able to participate in active play in the gymnasium. Children need ample opportunities to play, to practice and work out social skills with other children in a safe environment, and to gain self-confidence and self-esteem. We believe that helping children develop a positive self-image and become socially competent is the best foundation for their future. The experience of these early preschool years will last a lifetime.
Children are admitted into our programs free of discrimination in a fully inclusive environment. All of our programs are licensed through the State of Maine Child Care Licensing Department.
Any questions about the Laugh & Learn Program can be directed to Helen Humphrey at ChildhoodEd@rsu5.org.