The Best Daycare Centers in Standish, ME
Discover the best licensed daycare centers in Standish. Quality childcare with qualified staff and safe environments.
Top Daycare Centers in Standish
Little Learners Academy
Independent
Little Learners Academy is a highly-regarded local childcare center offering comprehensive early childhood education programs from infancy through school age. The center features a play-based learning curriculum that incorporates STEAM activities, literacy development, and social-emotional learning. Their qualified teaching staff maintains low student-teacher ratios and focuses on individualized attention. The facility includes age-appropriate classrooms, secure outdoor play areas, and modern safety systems. Parents consistently praise the nurturing environment, experienced educators, and strong communication from staff. The center provides nutritious meals and snacks while emphasizing community involvement and family partnerships.
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Gorham Children's House
Independent
Located just minutes from Standish in neighboring Gorham, Gorham Children's House has earned an exceptional reputation for its Montessori-inspired curriculum and highly qualified teaching staff. The center offers a comprehensive educational program that emphasizes hands-on learning, independence, and respect for each child's individual development pace. Features include beautifully prepared classrooms, natural outdoor learning environments, and specialized programs in music, art, and physical education. The center maintains rigorous safety protocols, including secure entry systems and comprehensive staff training. Parents consistently highlight the center's warm, family-like atmosphere and the remarkable developmental progress they observe in their children.
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Windham Early Childhood Center
Independent
Windham Early Childhood Center serves families throughout the Lakes Region, including Standish, with a research-based curriculum that balances academic preparation and social development. The center employs experienced early childhood educators who create engaging, developmentally appropriate learning experiences across all age groups. Their program includes structured literacy and math activities, creative arts, physical education, and character development. The modern facility features secure, age-segmented play areas, updated learning materials, and comprehensive safety systems. The center is particularly noted for its strong parent-teacher communication, flexible scheduling options, and commitment to creating an inclusive, diverse learning community that prepares children for kindergarten success.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about daycare and childcare services in Standish, ME
What are the typical costs for full-time daycare for an infant or toddler in Standish, ME?
In Standish and the surrounding Lakes Region area, full-time daycare costs can vary significantly based on the type of provider. For a licensed childcare center, you can expect to pay between $225 and $275 per week for an infant or toddler. Licensed family childcare homes often range from $180 to $230 per week. These rates are generally lower than in the Greater Portland area but have been increasing. It's important to ask what is included in the weekly fee (e.g., meals, snacks, diapers, wipes). Maine also offers the Child Care Subsidy Program through the Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) for eligible families, which can help offset these costs. Always inquire directly with providers for their most current rates.
How can I verify if a daycare provider in Standish is properly licensed and check their compliance history?
All childcare providers in Maine caring for three or more unrelated children must be licensed by the state. You can verify a provider's license and review their inspection history through the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Child Care Licensing search portal online. This public tool allows you to search by provider name, town (select "Standish"), or license number. It will show the license status, capacity, ages served, and any recent licensing visits, including corrective action plans if violations were found. You can also contact the DHHS Licensing Unit directly for the Southern Maine region. Always visit a potential daycare and ask to see their current license certificate, which should be posted.
Are there many daycare options with immediate openings in Standish, or should I expect a long waitlist?
Due to high demand and a limited number of providers, waitlists are common in Standish, especially for infant care. It is not unusual for popular centers and highly-regarded family homes to have waitlists of 6 to 12 months or more. For toddler and preschool-age children, openings may be more frequent but are still competitive. We strongly recommend starting your search and getting on multiple waitlists as early as possible, ideally during pregnancy or several months before you need care. Networking with other local parents through community groups or platforms like Facebook ("Standish Community" groups) can sometimes lead to tips about lesser-known providers or upcoming openings.
What are some of the key local resources for finding and evaluating childcare in Standish?
The primary resource for Maine families is **Child Care Choices**, a free referral service funded by the state. You can call them or use their online search to get a customized list of licensed providers in Standish and nearby towns like Gorham, Windham, and Buxton. Locally, the **Standish Town Office** may have community bulletins or information. The **RSU 6 School District** (MSAD 6) website and offices can provide information about public Pre-K programs for 4-year-olds, which is an important childcare-related option. For evaluations, beyond the state licensing portal, consider asking providers for references from current Standish-area parents and checking local parent social media groups for firsthand experiences.
Do any daycare providers in Standish offer flexible or non-traditional hours for parents with shift work?
Finding childcare with extended, weekend, or overnight hours in Standish is challenging, as most licensed providers operate on a standard weekday schedule (e.g., 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM). There are a very limited number of family childcare homes that may offer some flexibility for early drop-offs or late pick-ups, often for an additional fee. For true non-traditional hours (evenings, nights, weekends), your search will likely need to expand to the larger Gorham/Windham/Portland areas, where specialized centers may offer these services. Your best local strategy is to be upfront about your schedule needs when contacting providers and to explore creating a shared nanny arrangement with other Standish families who have similar shift patterns.