Count, Write, Paint, Play, Learn With Us The Creative Way!
A Fun, Nurturing & Educational Pre-K Program
Building Confidence, Independence & a Lifelong Love of Learning!
At Creative Beginnings Child Care Center, we believe the year before kindergarten is one of the most exciting and important stages of early childhood development. Our Pre-K program in South Portland, Maine, is designed to help four-year-old children build the academic, social, emotional, and independent learning skills they need to confidently transition into kindergarten.
Our pre-kindergarten program combines purposeful educational activities with hands-on exploration, creative expression, interactive learning, and age-appropriate play. We provide a nurturing environment where children can develop new abilities, strengthen friendships, ask questions, and discover the excitement of learning.
As children prepare for elementary school, we introduce increasingly advanced concepts in early literacy, phonics, reading readiness, mathematics, problem-solving, and communication.
Our child-centered approach recognizes that every child develops at their own pace. We encourage children to explore new challenges, celebrate their accomplishments, and build confidence in their growing independence.
At Creative Beginnings, our goal is to make the transition from preschool to kindergarten a positive, rewarding, and exciting experience.
Kindergarten Readiness Through Hands-On Pre-K Learning
Kindergarten readiness involves more than recognizing letters and numbers. Children also benefit from developing strong communication skills, positive social relationships, emotional awareness, independence, and the ability to participate in structured learning experiences.
Our Pre-K curriculum supports these essential developmental areas while introducing educational concepts that prepare children for the expectations of kindergarten.
Through interactive activities, guided learning experiences, and independent exploration, children are encouraged to strengthen their abilities and become confident, enthusiastic learners.
Early Literacy, Phonics & Reading Readiness
Our Pre-K program introduces important early reading concepts that help children understand how letters, sounds, and words work together.
Throughout the school year, children are introduced to increasingly advanced literacy skills, including:
- Recognizing uppercase and lowercase letters.
- Identifying and practicing individual letter sounds.
- Developing phonemic and phonological awareness.
- Blending sounds to recognize simple words.
- Exploring consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) words.
- Recognizing common letter combinations and digraphs.
- Identifying introductory sight words.
- Strengthening vocabulary and listening comprehension.
- Practicing name writing and early handwriting.
- Developing an appreciation for books, storytelling, and reading.
We incorporate literacy development into age-appropriate educational games, story time, group activities, writing exercises, and hands-on learning experiences.
By making early reading activities engaging and enjoyable, we help children build confidence and develop foundational skills for kindergarten.
Pre-K Mathematics, Counting & Problem-Solving
Mathematics is an important component of kindergarten readiness. Our Pre-K program introduces children to number relationships, counting patterns, early mathematical operations, and logical thinking.
Children are encouraged to develop skills in:
- Recognizing and writing numbers.
- Counting to 100 and beyond as skills develop.
- Counting by ones, fives, and tens.
- Understanding basic number relationships.
- Exploring introductory addition and subtraction.
- Recognizing shapes, colors, and patterns.
- Sorting, comparing, and organizing objects.
- Understanding simple measurement concepts.
- Solving age-appropriate mathematical problems.
We use educational games, manipulatives, visual learning materials, and everyday experiences to help children understand mathematical concepts.
Rather than relying solely on memorization, we encourage children to explore how numbers work, make connections, and develop confidence in their problem-solving abilities.
Developing Independence & Kindergarten Classroom Skills
As children approach kindergarten, developing independence becomes increasingly important.
At Creative Beginnings Child Care Center, our Pre-K program encourages children to take an active role in daily classroom routines and educational activities.
Children have opportunities to practice:
- Following classroom rules and routines.
- Listening and responding to directions.
- Participating in group learning activities.
- Taking responsibility for personal belongings.
- Completing age-appropriate tasks independently.
- Cleaning up learning materials.
- Practicing personal hygiene and self-care.
- Making choices and solving simple problems.
- Working cooperatively with classmates.
- Developing patience, persistence, and confidence.
Our Pre-K program also encourages children to take leadership roles during classroom activities, including participating in and helping lead circle time.
Learning Through Circle Time, Small Groups & Independent Activities
Our Pre-K learning environment provides a balance of structured educational experiences and opportunities for independent discovery.
Circle Time & Group Learning
Circle time provides opportunities for children to participate in discussions, practice listening skills, explore educational topics, and build confidence speaking in front of their peers.
Small-Group Learning Activities
Small-group experiences encourage cooperation, communication, problem-solving, and participation in age-appropriate academic activities.
Individual Learning Opportunities
Independent activities help children develop focus, persistence, self-confidence, and responsibility while practicing new skills at their own pace.
Learning Centers & Classroom Choices
Interactive learning centers provide opportunities to explore early literacy, mathematics, creative expression, problem-solving, and imaginative play.
By combining these experiences, we help children develop the ability to participate in different types of learning activities they will encounter in kindergarten.
Indoor & Outdoor Play for Healthy Pre-K Development
At Creative Beginnings, we recognize that physical activity and play are essential components of early childhood education.
Our Pre-K children have opportunities to participate in outdoor play and active movement that encourage coordination, strength, balance, cooperation, and confidence.
Outdoor activities provide children with opportunities to explore their environment, develop friendships, practice teamwork, and strengthen gross motor skills.
Our indoor learning environment also supports hands-on activities, creative exploration, and age-appropriate movement.
We believe balancing structured learning with active play helps children develop physically, socially, emotionally, and academically.
Building Confidence for the Transition to Kindergarten
Starting kindergarten is an exciting milestone for children and their families.
Our Pre-K program is designed to help children develop a strong foundation for this important transition by introducing academic concepts and encouraging essential classroom skills.
Through our kindergarten-readiness activities, children strengthen:
- Letter recognition, phonics, and early reading skills.
- Sight word recognition and introductory word building.
- Number recognition, counting, and early mathematics.
- Independent problem-solving and critical thinking.
- Listening and following directions.
- Positive peer relationships and cooperation.
- Emotional awareness and self-regulation.
- Communication and group participation.
- Fine motor development and early writing.
- Responsibility, confidence, and independence.
We understand that kindergarten readiness looks different for every child.
Our goal is to encourage steady developmental progress, celebrate individual achievements, and help children approach kindergarten with enthusiasm and confidence.
Why Choose Creative Beginnings for Pre-K in South Portland, ME?
Families searching for a Pre-K program in South Portland, Scarborough, and surrounding Maine communities will discover an engaging early childhood learning environment at Creative Beginnings Child Care Center.
Our Pre-K program offers:
- Kindergarten-readiness education for four-year-old children.
- Early literacy, phonics, and introductory reading activities.
- CVC word development, digraphs, and sight word recognition.
- Counting to 100 and early addition and subtraction.
- Small-group and independent learning opportunities.
- Hands-on educational activities and learning centers.
- Opportunities to build leadership and classroom participation skills.
- Social and emotional development.
- Creative expression and imaginative play.
- Active outdoor play and physical development.
- Structured daily routines with meals, snacks, and quiet time.
- A child-centered approach that encourages individual growth and independence.
We are committed to helping children develop the knowledge, confidence, and enthusiasm they need for the next stage of their educational journey.
Anne Sullivan
Anne Sullivan
Anne Sullivan
Anne joined our team in September of 2021, and we are so grateful to have her! Anne comes to us with over 20 years experience in the field of early childhood. She earned her Associate Degree from Lasell College in 1990. Anne brings an abundance of fun and exciting activities to the classroom, that truly engage the children! We look forward to many years with Anne!
Meg McMurphy
Anne Sullivan
Anne Sullivan
Meg has been with Creative Beginnings since February of 2024. She attended Keene State College where she studied Early Childhood Education. Meg has worked in a variety of preschool settings in New Hampshire. Her passion for teaching, dedication, and softness has made her a wonderful fit for our PreK program!