Old Lyme Children's Learning Center

Welcome to the Old Lyme Children's Learning Center. It is a pleasure to have your child ( ren ) enrolled in our program, and your family as a part of our Center's community. It is our intention to provide high quality care for your child in a warm and nurturing environment. We look forward to helping your child grow, and also to helping you in the transition from home to the Center. Our staff is here to help. If you have any questions or concerns about our Center, your child and his/her development, or any other area that we may be able to help you with, you need only to ask. We are here for you and your child! Once again, welcome! The mission of the Old Lyme Children's Learning center is to provide comprehensive high quality programs of early childhood and school age education for children in a safe, nurturing environment. We hope to provide support for families in raising their children and allow for healthy growth, exploration and discovery. In doing so, our goals include providing a foundation of experiences that foster growth and development of children. Our programs are based on currently accepted early childhood standards as well as those established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The Old Lyme Children's Learning Center, Inc, established in 1987, is the culmination of many years of work by residents of the Lyme/Old Lyme community and was shaped by the vision of Mrs. Connie Pike, a generous donor and supporter of the Center. She, along with others, provided a large share of the vision and funding for building phase one of Center, at 57 Lyme Street, which houses the infant and toddler programs. The phase two addition to the Center was the refurbishing of a detached building which became the preschool in 1992 and houses up to nineteen children. The Centr is funded by a combination of parent fees, generous donation of longtime donors, community organizations in the LYme/Old Lyme area, and fundraising by the Center's board. The Old Lyme Children's Learning Center believes in children. Children need the time and opportunity to grow, explore, and discover. Our programs promote the development of children as creative individuals, and as members of small groups. Daily activities and experiences are provided which enhance each child's sense of self-esteem and mastery of skills. Our goal is to provide a secure, safe and happy environment that fosters natural development of the whole child, which includes socio-emotional, cognitive, language and small and large motor skills. The educational philosophy of the Old Lyme Children's Learning Center is guided by the standards of the National Association for the Education of Young Children ( NAEYC ). Play-based cirriculum, constructivism, and developmentally appropriate practice are all terms that describe our program.