Child and Family Opportunities, Inc. operates Early Care and Education programs throughout Hancock and Washington counties (our program locations). Each program provides comprehensive early education, health and family services to enrolled children and their families. We believe children learn through play. We encourage children to explore the world at their own pace, with the loving support and guidance of parents and teachers. Our programs offer a child-centered curriculum which reflects children’s and family’s real lives and interests. Teachers are observers of children; teachers work together with families to provide activities and materials that reflect family backgrounds and cultures and are designed to foster the healthy development of self esteem, social, physical, and intellectual skills, as well as skills of effective communication. We recognize and respect the individuality of each child and family, and we strive to provide a learning environment within which each child and family can feel successful.

All programs are developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate and include all areas of growth: physical, language, social, emotional, and cognitive.

Why should you choose CFO’s Early Care and Education Programs?

Our Early Care and Education Programs are designed to provide quality education and care for each enrolled child aged 6 weeks to 5 years.

Quality Learning Environments are our Number One Priority

Our classrooms reflect total learning environments for children. We believe that children learn through their play and through what they see and experience all around them. Every classroom holds a variety of fine and gross motor activities, language and literacy activities designed for readers and pre-readers, creative arts and opportunities for a child’s imagination to be engaged and expanded. Our Teachers are all certified with a Child Development Associate Credential or Associate Degrees in Early Childhood Education.

Health and Safety is Key

We believe that a child’s health effects a child’s learning so staff work to ensure that children receive well child check-ups, dental check-ups, and height and weight assessments.

Good Nutrition Supports Children’s Learning

Nutritious meals and snacks are included in all of our programs. All programs participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program that requires the foods to meet USDA standards. Meals are served family style with caregivers and children coming together at meal time for conversation and quality connect time. Promoting healthy nutrition habits and allowing children to experience new foods are important aspects of our nutrition program.

Parents are Respected as the Primary Teachers of Their Children

Parent involvement is definitely one of the cornerstones of our program. Parents report a sense of belonging and an appreciation for having the opportunity for meaningful involvement at all levels of their child’s program. Parents are invited to participate as volunteers in their child’s day to day program, on governing bodies and as active partners in curriculum planning.

Licensing and Staff credentialing

All of our programs are fully licensed though the State of Maine Day Care Licensing Division. This includes annual inspections by both the State’s licensing agent and fire marshal.

Following the national mandate of the Head Start program, all CFO teachers either have or are in the process of acquiring an Associate Degrees in Early Childhood Education. For those not yet holding the AS degree, a minimum of a Child Development Credential (CDA) has been acquired. CDA is the only major national effort to improve child care by evaluation and recognizing the skills of individuals providing care. The first credential was awarded 25 years ago, and now 46 states, plus the District of Columbia include CDA in their child care licensing regulations. Every candidate for the CDA credential is observed working with young children or families by an early childhood professional. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the ability to work with families to develop children’s physical and intellectual capabilities in a safe and healthy learning environment.

Head Start Programs deemed Excellent during Federal Review

Every three years Head Start agencies are reviewed by a Federal Review Team. In its 1999 review, CFO was recognized as a “Program of Excellence” with exemplary practices in parent involvement and community partnerships. The agency received it triennial review in April 2002 and again received the “Program of Excellence” recognition. The agency was commended for its practices in parent involvement, community partnerships and information management systems in child care outcomes and mandated tracking. Visit Head Start.

The State of Maine recognizes this award and deems CFO programs as quality centers. As such, families enrolled in child care at the Machias, Jonesport or Ellsworth centers are eligible for double the State of Maine income tax childcare credit.