Welcome to SKCDC

We offer high quality early learning programs throughout Southern Kennebec County and serve children and families from birth right up to Kindergarten. With a variety of program options and locations, SKCDC offers learning experiences that support school readiness, family engagement, and fun! We welcome you to learn more about our Head Start and Child Care programs.
Open Enrollment
Head Start
Early Head Start
and Child Care services
for children birth-age five.
Begin Enrollment!
We are Hiring!
We welcome applications from enthusiastic and
energetic individuals who love working with the
youngest generation to join our team.
  • Teachers
  • Assistant Teachers
  • Administrative Staff
    For our Head Start and Early Head Start classes.
    • Join Our Team!
    Beginning in the fall of 2026, SKCDC will be implementing the Kind Mind program.

    Kind Mind is a trauma-informed, evidence-based Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) framework designed for educators, children, and families. It provides actionable, hands-on tools to help teachers manage classrooms while teaching children to self-regulate, build resilience, and develop empathy.
    The curriculum focuses on prevention and building emotional literacy so that children develop foundational mental health skills.
    Learn More
    Children’s Oral Health
    SKCDC partners with the Children’s Oral Health Network to
    offer a Virtual Dental Home (VDH) care at our local
    Head Start centers.
    Click Here

    Winter Weather

    When stormy weather impacts
    our operations you can find the
    latest updates at
    News Center Maine.

    Enrolled families will receive
    information via the
    One Call Now notification system.

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    🚒 A big thank you to Eric Davis from the Gardiner Fire Department for spending the morning with us at our Gardiner Center Fire Safety Event! 🔥

    Eric showed our kiddos what a firefighter looks like in full gear, mask and all, so they know there’s a friendly helper inside if they ever need one. Then it was time to explore Engine 1! Little hands gripped the big steering wheel, and plenty of proud smiles came out of that driver’s seat. 😄

    We were so happy to have 9 parents join us for the fun this year. Learning about safety together makes it stick at home too. 💛

    Eric has made this a yearly tradition with us, and we are truly grateful for his time and the care he shows our families. 🙌

    #YouBelongAtSKCDC #GardinerCenter #HeadStart #FamilyEngagement #FireSafety     ...

    18 hours ago
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    🌟 Learning, laughing, and growing together! 🌟

    Earlier this month, our SKCDC team spent a Professional Development Day exploring how life experiences shape the families we serve and how kindness and a positive mindset can make all the difference.

    A big thank you to our presenters for sharing their time and expertise:

    📘 Renae Muscatell for her Bridges Out of Poverty presentation, exploring how economic environments shape people, relationships, and community.

    💛 Meg LeMay of Maine Youth Thriving for The Power of the Positive.

    💚 Lee Sowles of Kind Mind for Cultivating Compassion.

    And of course, it wasn’t all sitting and listening! Adult recess and some very competitive rounds of rock paper scissors kept everyone up and moving so we were ready to learn all day long. ✊✋✌️

    Our staff are the heart of everything we do, and days like this help us keep showing up our best for the children and families we serve. Here’s to 60 years of learning and growing together! 🎉

    #YouBelongAtSKCDC #HeadStart #EarlyChildhood #ProfessionalDevelopment #SKCDC60     ...

    2 days ago
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    ...

    4 days ago
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    “The staff does an extraordinary job coming together and making sure each child has what they need, when they need it, how they need it.”
    Annual Family Survey 2026
    “Everyone is so welcoming and supportive and show they really care about my child’s well being and development."
    Annual Family Survey 2026
    “What I like most is the good and constant communication and engagement with families.”
    Annual Family Survey 2026
    “I love his teachers! They are so patient and have really helped my child grow and learn in so many ways.”
    Annual Family Survey 2026
    "Everyone here is like a family. He has learned so much that it surprises me everyday!”
    Annual Family Survey 2026
    "I like the family feel in the classroom and the growth my child has received with the help of the program"
    Annual Family Survey 2026
    "I love how they care about each student. I have come to love everyone here 🙂 my son is exited to go to school everyday that earns my momma heart thank you to everyone who helps support my children!"
    Annual Family Survey 2026
    "I love how they come in my home and help me to work with my child on his learning."
    Annual Family Survey 2026