Miss Sugarman's School for Extraordinary Children

Miss Sugarman's School for Extraordinary Children State of Maine Childcare Licensed! CPR/First Aid Cert/DHHS/DOE Background Checked. Every child possesses unique gifts waiting to be discovered and nurtured.

We provide infant/toddler, preschool, and school-age childcare, summer camps, and academic and arts enrichment opportunities for children from Gardiner and beyond! We are fully licensed as a childcare provider, insured, First Aid- and CPR-certified, and background-checked. Admission and Enrollment Policy Statement:
Miss Sugarman’s School for Extraordinary Children (SSEC) welcomes all families and

children to our services. We take pride in our inclusive practices, regardless of gender, marital status, family status, age, disability, race, sexual orientation, or religious belief. We are dedicated to ensuring that each child has equal access to learning opportunities, including our physical facilities, resources, curriculum, and pedagogical approaches. Miss Sugarman’s School for Extraordinary Children offers part-time and full-time childcare for preschool children ages three through five, as well as engaging extended-day, after-school programs, summer camps, and workshops. Our experienced educators create personalized learning experiences that meet each student exactly where they are—whether they benefit from additional academic support, thrive with grade-level instruction, or require accelerated learning opportunities. At Miss Sugarman's, learning differences aren't obstacles but growth opportunities. We're committed to creating an inclusive environment where every child develops confidence in their unique abilities and discovers their extraordinary potential. Because here, we don't just embrace diversity in learning—we celebrate it as the foundation of true educational excellence. Why extraordinary? Extraordinary (Collin's Dictionary): ADJECTIVE: If you describe something or someone as extraordinary, you mean they have some extremely good or special qualities. Every child is extraordinary and has their own special quality! At Miss Sugarman's School for Extraordinary Children, your child's STRENGTHS are paramount, while their perceived weaknesses are supported! We take State of Maine subsidies for up to 20% of our student body.

First day of school JOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
08/31/2026

First day of school JOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

08/29/2026

Your play piece for today is…

Know the difference!

What I see across multiple pages who ‘claim’ they embrace play as an approach to learning, are simply just setting up ‘adult led learning’.

There is an absolute place for this type of set up for sure but please don’t call it play!

Play is freely chosen, intrinsically motivated and highly engaging. It’s free from learning intentions and success criteria. It’s free from comments like ‘do it this way’ or ‘you can’t do that’.

If you’re new to play, learn the difference.

When you see an ‘activity’ set up, a beautifully designed tuff tray is a perfect example, remind yourself that it is adult directed and can never be classed as ‘play’

It’s a real bug bear of mine 🤣🙄

The Power of PlayOnce children enter school, play doesn’t become less important. In fact, school-age children still NEED...
08/28/2026

The Power of Play

Once children enter school, play doesn’t become less important. In fact, school-age children still NEED time to play, move, create, imagine, and explore.

After spending much of their day following schedules, completing academic work, and meeting expectations, play gives children the freedom to make choices, test their own ideas, and simply be kids.

Outside, that might look like conquering climbing structures, creating in the mud kitchen, digging and building at the sand tables, experimenting with water, constructing elaborate ball runs, inventing games, or running and playing with friends.

Inside, it might look like building an enormous structure, creating art, designing something from loose parts, playing a strategy game, putting together a challenging puzzle, diving into dramatic play, or turning a completely ordinary collection of materials into something extraordinary.

And while they’re “just playing,” so much is happening!

Cognitively, play strengthens problem-solving, creativity, planning, flexible thinking, attention, memory, and perseverance.

Physically, active and hands-on play develops strength, coordination, balance, fine motor control, and body awareness.

Socially and emotionally, children practice collaboration, negotiation, leadership, healthy risk-taking, managing frustration, independence, and confidence.

School-age children spend plenty of time being students.

✨ They still deserve plenty of time to be children, too.

And some of their most extraordinary learning happens when we simply give them the time, space, materials, and freedom to PLAY.

08/25/2026
08/23/2026

We got over 50 reactions on my posts last week! Thanks everyone for your support! 🎉

08/23/2026

Sound familiar?

08/23/2026

Parent testimonial:

“Miss Sugarman is an amazing teacher, surrounded by equally wonderful teachers and staff who work alongside her. As an early childhood educator myself, I am incredibly proud that my boys have been able to attend her preschool since the very beginning. A year later, I can still confidently say that this school is one of the absolute best in the area for preschool and before-and-after care.

This fall, the school is continuing to grow with the addition of an infant classroom, and I couldn’t be more excited to see what’s ahead. This truly is a gem of a school.

Miss Sugarman and her staff consistently go above and beyond for their students. The activities, hands on experiences, field trips, full immersion into every area of learning, and genuine care they provide are nothing short of amazing. You can tell how much love, thought, and dedication goes into creating an environment where children feel safe, supported, excited to learn, and truly cared for.

I cannot recommend Miss Sugarman’s school enough.”

- Alyssa Duchesne, preschool and school-age parent

08/22/2026

This ❤️

08/22/2026

We had the most MAGICAL time with Conjuring Carroll!

Our campers had the incredible opportunity to learn some magic tricks of their very own before sitting back to enjoy a fantastic Magic Show with the whole school! There were lots of laughs, amazed faces, and plenty of “How did he DO that?!” moments.

A huge thank you to Conjuring Carroll for sharing his talents with us and bringing a little extra magic to Camps Got Talent!

Address

617 Water Street
Gardiner, ME
04345

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