Sandpipers Early Learning Center
Welcome to Sandpipers Early Learning Center, an Early Care and Education Program of Child & Family. As early care educators, we are committed to providing children and families with the highest quality early care and education experiences.
Searching for peace of mind in choosing your childcare provider? We understand that it’s difficult to entrust your child with another person while you cannot be with them during the day. Ask our parents and they will tell you they feel safe, confident and uplifted to know that we are delivering the best quality care and compassion for their children. Sandpipers is great for early development and learning social skills. We help kids to share, meet new people and interact with others in a positive manner. Pretty soon the best part of your day will be reuniting with your child each afternoon and witnessing their successful progress for yourself!
Sandpipers Early Learning Center is a full-time facility providing the highest quality care and educational experiences. Our professional teaching staff oversees the development for children ages six weeks through five years, and services almost 150 children and their families annually. Our goal is to encourage positive self-images through engaged learning at an early age. We provide a safe and nurturing environment recognizing each child’s unique needs.
Our Philosophy
Our philosophy of “learning through play” provides the foundation for the teaching staff when planning educational opportunities for children to explore and experiment during the school day. Sandpipers Early Learning Center offers a program designed to promote the optimal development and well being of children through family- centered child care. Through a team work approach, children, families and staff create the best possible early learning experience for each child enrolled in our programs. The goals of the program are: to develop social and communications skills, encourage creativity and problem solving, introduce children to our culturally diverse society, and cultivate a positive self-concept.
We believe the total development of each child (emotional, social, cognitive and physical) is supported through warm, nurturing relationships among the family, teacher and child. Staff and families work together to create an environment, which allows children to grow at a pace that is unique and comfortable. Daily activities are based on a developmentally appropriate curriculum that emphasizes learning through play.
Professional Team
Sandpipers’ professional growth is integral in providing children and families with the highest quality service. We continue to participate in the Rhode Island Early Learning Standards for professional development and our Teaches have received certifications in the Level I, II and III trainings.
What do we do?
- Nurturing and soothing when needed
- Speaking to your children directly
- Singing songs and reading stories
- Playing with age-appropriate toys that vary in shape/size/colors
- Making time to promote flexibility/movement
- Providing restful sleep intervals
- Allowing for individual and group activities
- Introducing math, reading, music and arts
Kids Connect
Sandpipers also offers a Therapeutic component, KIDS CONNECT, to our programming to better support children who may have medical, behavioral health and social/emotional challenges that might otherwise exclude them from a typical school setting. Children who qualify for this program, work with a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and the class Therapeutic Integration Specialist (TIS) to create, implement and manage a plan to further support their positive growth and development.
Meal Program
- Click here to learn more about the program
Support for Military
At Sandpipers we understand the needs of Military Families and strive to support families during transitions. We ensure that individual educational needs are not interrupted and offer flexibility and understanding at PCS time and during a deployment. We recognize the hardships and sacrifices families and children make and support them in every way possible. We partner with Child Care Aware and Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN) to ensure that all families have access to quality affordable child care. A portion of the child care cost is paid by these programs to reduce the cost of using community-based care.
Sandpipers
- Infants (6 weeks to 12 months)
- Yearlings (12 months to 24 months)
- Toddlers (2 to 3 years)
- Preschoolers (3 to 5 years).
Family Engagement
A unique collaboration with Child & Family’s Family Advisory Board strengthens the bond between caregiver and guardians. Monthly meetings offer families like yours an opportunity to offer suggestions for change and growth in your children’s earliest educational experiences.
We believe our purposeful and intentional engagement with families is what sets us apart from other early care and education providers in the area. With an active Family Advisory Board where families have a say in what their child’s earliest school experiences will encompass to our monthly Family Engagement Events we believe Sandpipers Early Learning center is a special place for our youngest students and families to grow.
Sandpipers’ families have led the way organizing and implementing new activities including:
- Annual Teacher Breakfast Celebration
- Week of the Young Child Celebration
- Family Conversation Information Sheets
- Family Swap and Share Events
- Places to Play in Rhode Island Paw Sox Event
- Farm Fresh Rhode Island Veggie Box Site
- Date Nights
- Easton’s Beach Family Fun Picnic Night
Family Engagement Programs offer a variety of opportunities linked to the Creative Curriculum, the Scholastic Early Childhood Program and the Rhode Island Early Learning Standards that support the total growth and development of your child. Each classroom teacher will get to know your family, create welcoming classroom environments and share effective daily communication with you. Monthly emails are sent highlighting upcoming family engagement events, home and school connection activities, school closings, the monthly lunch menu, and health and nutrition tips.
Our monthly family events are a great way to connect with other parents, teachers and your child’s classroom buddies.
Some of our highlighted events are:
- Sandpipers Open House
- Touch a Truck
- Trunk or Treat
- Thanksgiving Feast
- Holiday Workshop
- Movie Night/Game Night
- Heart Healthy Day
- Literacy/Art Show
- Dr. Seuss Birthday Celebration
- End of School Year BBQ
- Preschool Graduation
Tour Our Facility
Licensing & Accreditations
Our Center is licensed by the State of Rhode Island and is accredited through the Council on Accreditation (COA).
Our mission is to help families in Rhode Island access quality child care, early learning, and school-age programs. Through the star rating system, BrightStars helps early learning, education and school-age programs that care for children learn about best practices and apply them to the care children receive. BrightStars recognizes program quality and gives parents information to make choices about their children’s care and education.
In order to achieve a BrightStars rating, the program was assessed across many quality standards and criteria. A BrightStars quality rating provides accurate, reliable information about program quality to families and the community. Sandpipers was the first BrightStar rated center on the Aquidneck Island. A BrightStars rating recognizes programs that demonstrate quality above and beyond state licensing standards. Sandpipers was awarded four (4) out of five (5) stars and is in the process of renewing our accreditation.
Apply for State Pre-K
The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) is opening two new Pre-K classrooms at Child & Family. If your child will be 4 years old by September 1st and lives on Aquidneck Island, they may be eligible for free Pre-K at Child & Family. There are no income limits for this program. Click here to download the application in English or Spanish and drop off the completed application at Sandpipers at Child & Family, 31 John Clarke Road, Middletown. If you do not have access to a printer, you can also stop by and pick up an application.
Who We Are
Sandpipers Hours of Operation:
Monday thru Friday, 7:45am – 5:00pm
Classroom Teachers
Our nurturing teachers are dedicated to meeting the needs of the child’s individual developmental needs. To stay up to date and for professional growth, teachers engage in yearly professional development by attending trainings, workshops and engaging in courses.
Every staff member must have a C.A.N.T.S (Child Abuse Networking Tracking System) clearance and be finger-printed through the Local and State Police Department, including a background check. Each staff member is CPR and First Aid certified.
Parent Testimonials
“Sandpipers was a breath of fresh air after my son’s original facility. He has now been attending this establishment for years and continues to learn, grow, and thrive. He adores all of the staff and teachers and looks forward to going to daycare each and every day. Thank you all for giving my son the best care on the Island!”
“My child has grown up so much under the care of Sandpipers. Sandpipers makes it possible for working parents. Thank you for all you do!”
“Sandpipers Early Learning Center has been a part of our family since our oldest child was six months. Years later, we now have three children who have gone through or still attend the Center. For us, it is the teachers that make the difference. We have been fortunate to have the same teachers for each child through the Toddler Room. The teachers have become like a part of our family, celebrating milestones long after our children completed Pre-K. We are so grateful for the care, concern, and foundational early education each of our children received.”
We look forward to developing strong relationships with children and families and know that together we can build a strong foundation for the future educational success of our youngest children in their journey of life long learning!
Sandpipers Photo Gallery
