Curriculum
Our Curriculum Approach
At Space to Thrive, our Early Childhood Education (ECE) program offers a thoughtfully designed curriculum that honors each child’s natural development journey.
Play-Based Learning Foundation
We believe in the power of play as the primary avenue for learning. Our play-based approach supports children in developing both academic foundations and essential life skills while nurturing meaningful relationships between peers and educators—connections we recognize as central to effective learning.
Complementary Educational Philosophies
Our curriculum draws inspiration from several respected educational approaches:
- Reggio Emilia encourages exploration, discovery, and creation, viewing children as strong, capable individuals who learn through engaging with the natural world around them.
- Waldorf philosophy enhances children’s sense of connection to the world while fostering learning through creativity and imagination.
These complementary approaches support healthy social-emotional development and self-regulation—skills research consistently shows are developed through outdoor play, child-led activities, and imaginative experiences.
Focus Areas
The Space to Thrive ECE program places special emphasis on:
- Communication skills
- Self-expression
- Problem-solving abilities
- Social and emotional development
Our Educators
Our program benefits from educators with diverse educational backgrounds and specialized training. This collaborative teaching approach allows us to blend the best elements from various pedagogies. Each classroom is led by a teacher specifically trained in the Maine Learning and Development Standards (MELDS).
Environment as Teacher
We carefully design our learning spaces to serve as a “third teacher,” incorporating meaningful materials that encourage creative experimentation and ongoing discovery.
Commitment to Sustainability
Our program demonstrates environmental responsibility through:
- Using recycled materials and natural elements for play
- Employing reusable items instead of disposables
- Creating an energy-efficient building with heat pumps rather than fossil fuels
- Training staff in sustainable practices from cloth diapering to composting
Through this thoughtful curriculum approach, we create spaces where children from infancy through pre-K can truly thrive.