The Pen Bay Creative Learning Center serves families throughout Pen Bay Medical Center and the Midcoast community.
Pen Bay Medical Center is committed to assisting parents with both family and work responsibilities through the provision of high-quality, affordable, educational childcare services. We are honored that you are considering our program for your family's childcare and early education needs. Our mission is the quality care and education of your most precious gift by providing a supportive, nurturing and safe environment for all children. Our program emphasizes age-appropriate learning opportunities that encourage growth in all areas of development.
The center is located on the campus of Pen Bay Medical Center, off Route 1 in Rockport, Maine and open year-round, Monday through Friday, 6:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with the exception of some holidays.
For more information or to arrange a tour, please call Amy Carter-Boynton at 207-921-8700 or email us.
The Pen Bay Creative Learning Center is fully licensed by the State of Maine Department of Health and Human Services and has earned national accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the highest mark of quality in the early care and education field. We serve children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, both full-time and part-time, in four classrooms (infants, toddlers, preschoolers and prekindergarteners).
Our facility is fully licensed by the State of Maine, nationally accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and has achieved Step 4 (of 4) on Maine's Quality Rating System. We follow The Creative Curriculum in all classrooms, providing a rich, well planned and varied program which integrates learning into children's play. We track each child's development in all areas (physical, cognitive, social-emotional, and language) and share this information with families. Children graduate from our preschool/prekindergarten program ready for kindergarten and beyond!
We nurture each child by respecting individuality with heartfelt compassion and by creating a positive early childhood experience. We treat each family with dignity, empathy and confidentiality.
We believe that children learn primarily through play and we use play experiences to foster children's development in all areas: physical development, cognitive development, social/emotional development, and language development. Content learning in the areas of literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, the arts, technology, and process skills, are integrated into children's play experiences.
We believe that the primary role of the teacher is to build relationships with children, to provide an appropriate learning environment, and to provide opportunities for many firsthand experiences which invite children to investigate, represent and care. We believe that when families are an integral part of a school program, children's self-esteem and achievement are enhanced.
We provide a rich, well-planned and varied curriculum, using The Creative Curriculum® as the framework for our program. The Creative Curriculum®, based on years of research in the field of early care and education, provides guidance for setting up the learning environment, the teacher's role, the family's role, and of course, children's learning and development.
We monitor children's development and meet with families regularly to discuss their child's progress. Because we recognize that each child develops and learns at his/her own pace, and we assess each child's development individually.
The Center's greatest asset is our experienced and dedicated staff, many of whom have been with the Center since we opened in 1990. All of our teachers hold either a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or a post-secondary degree. All staff also complete in-service training annually on topics pertaining to early childhood care and education. We believe our longevity, experience and ability to work well together enhance the quality of our program.
Families are always welcome to visit or volunteer in their child's classroom. Good communication between teachers and families is essential to the care we provide your children. It is our intention to build positive, effective relationships with all our families, beginning during enrollment and continuing to grow during your child's time with us.
Our center has been in continuous operation since Feb. 14, 1990.
6:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Is the Center only open to Pen Bay Medical Center employees?
No, the Pen Bay Creative Learning Center is open to all families. Pen Bay Medical Center employees do get priority on openings.
Does the center keep a waiting list? Is there a fee to get on it?
Yes, we keep a waiting list. There is no fee to be placed on the waiting list.
How do I get on the waiting list or enroll my child?
Please give us a call at 921-8700 to inquire about openings and be added to our waiting list. We carefully maintain separate waiting lists for each age group, and automatically move children to the appropriate waiting list as they age. PBMC employees do receive priority on the waiting list as do existing families who already have a child enrolled with us. When an opening arises, we contact the next family on the list to begin the process of visiting to determine if our program and your child and family are a good fit for each other.
What is the total number of children attending?
Between full- and part-time children, we have about 50 children enrolled.
How are the children divided into age groups?
The children are enrolled into four classrooms depending upon age.
What is the staff training and turnover rate?
All of our teachers have post-secondary degrees or have earned their Child Development Associate credential. All staff members are required to complete in-service training annually. We have a remarkably low staff turnover rate. Many of our staff members have been here since the center opened in 1990.
What are the teacher-child ratio and group sizes?
Teacher – child ratios depend on the age of the children in the class.
Do children need to be toilet trained before entering?
No. We will work with your family on this process.
Are snacks and meals provided?
No. Parents provide lunch and two snacks for their child. The center provides water with snack and milk with lunch.
What is your peanut policy?
The infant and toddler-two classrooms are peanut free. The preschool and pre-k classrooms may restrict peanuts depending upon enrollment.
Can I come visit my child during the day?
Absolutely! We welcome and encourage parent participation. There are many opportunities for parents to volunteer with classroom projects, fundraising events or special celebrations.
Our accrediting agency, promoting excellence in early childhood education.
American Academy of Pediatrics online resource for parents and families.
The information on the page is for information purposes only.
"We couldn't have been happier having our children at Pen Bay Creative Learning Center. The teachers are extremely caring and dedicated and the building is very secure. We knew our children would be in a safe, fun learning environment. We highly recommend PBCLC to anyone who asks."
"The people at Pen Bay are not just concerned with children, they are concerned with every child. The staff is experienced, compassionate, nurturing, and patient. They consistently go the extra mile to ensure that every child has an opportunity to learn and grow, all while feeling an important part of the group. The staff also provides families with support and information vital to the success of the child's growth. I got the feeling that they were part of a "parenting" team with my wife and I."
"For us, the PBCLC provides the whole package for development…early learning opportunities with structure, creativity, social development, consistency and discipline. We also wanted this paired with a daycare center with a mission of caring, continued improvement and professional development. We wanted our daughter to be engaged, happy and most of all have fun! We have found all this and more at the PBCLC."