United Way of Mid Coast Maine invests in quality child care programs. 

What does "quality care" mean?

Studies have shown that the key elements in child care settings that have consistently helped children include:

• highly skilled teachers;
• small class sizes and high adult-to-child rations;
• age appropriate curricula and stimulating materials in a safe physical setting;
• a language-rich environment;
• warm, responsive interactions between staff and children; and
• high and consistent levels of child participation.

The results of multiple studies on family interactions, the way the brain architecture is formed, and research on what is best for children in child care settings all help us as a community set standards for quality.  National accreditation and Maine's Quality for ME base their standards on these national studies, and Maine programs can strive to increase quality in their work by reaching for the highest quality standards.

Our United Way supports quality programs!
We support four child care programs in our region:

• Bath Area Family YMCA Enrichment Program
• Central Lincoln County YMCA Child Care
• Coastal Kids
• Family Focus