Engaging 21st Century Learners
Miss Sugarman's School for Extraordinary Children
Call us!
207-588-7070
Miss Sugarman's School
for Extraordinary Children
617 Water Street, Gardiner, Maine
Miss Sugarman's School for Extraordinary Children offers engaging infant, toddler, preschool, and after-school programs for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years. We also offer summer camps and workshops for children ages 4 ½- 12 from every corner of Maine.
For our youngest learners, we focus on responsive caregiving and enrichment experiences that support key developmental milestones. Infants are provided with a safe, nurturing environment where they can explore through sensory play, develop secure attachments, and begin building early communication through eye contact and responsive interactions. Toddlers are encouraged to develop independence, language, and motor coordination through hands-on exploration, movement, music, and play-based learning that supports curiosity and self-expression.
For our preschool and school-age children, 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 opportunities for growth. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where every child—regardless of age—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.
We hold a State of Maine Childcare License!
Why extraordinary?
Extraordinary (Collin's Dictionary): ADJECTIVE: If you describe something or someone as extraordinary, you mean they have some extremely good or special quality.
Every child is extraordinary and has their own special quality! At Miss Sugarman's School for Extraordinary Children, your children's STRENGTHS are paramount, while their perceived weaknesses are supported! Bringing children together to form a community of like-minded peers while experiencing fun academic and arts enrichment is what we do! Imagine how empowered and invigorated your child will feel when they learn at their own pace and ability level! All offerings embed current educational pedagogy proven to engage 21st-century learners.
All of our staff are background checked and CPR First Aid Certified!
"I’ve never met an educator as capable of capitalizing on students’ strengths as Ms. Sugarman.
She has a keen ability to assess students’ skills, connect personally with them and invite them into learning projects.
Frankly, it is the kind of educator that I would aspire to hire across the program—one who does not perceive
subjects in silos but helps students connect with learning across disciplines."
Bridget Mullen
Employer, Bowdoin Upward Bound
Mission
Six weeks through three years - Our mission begins with nurturing curiosity through responsive caregiving, sensory exploration, and meaningful relationships. We support infants and toddlers as they build foundational skills through language, play, movement, and discovery—developing early communication, motor coordination, and a growing sense of independence. Through rich, hands-on experiences in art, music, movement, and nature, children begin to explore their environment, express themselves, and make sense of the world around them. Educators thoughtfully guide this process by observing each child’s developmental milestones and creating opportunities for problem-solving, creativity, and exploration at their own pace. We prioritize social and emotional growth by fostering secure attachments, modeling positive interactions, and helping children begin to understand themselves and others. In doing so, we lay the foundation for lifelong learning, confidence, and a strong sense of belonging within a caring community.
Ages three through twelve - Our mission is to invigorate children's minds through interdisciplinary academic and arts enrichment, developing individual talents, practicing applicable creative problem-solving skills, exposure to global sustainability goals, access to STEAM and PBL learning activities, social and emotional growth, and community-building.
Vision
SSEC envisions a world where children of all ages—from infancy through early adolescence—have equal access to learning experiences that honor their intrinsic needs, developmental stages, and natural curiosity. We believe that even our youngest learners are capable explorers, and we strive to provide nurturing environments where infants and toddlers can build secure relationships, engage in sensory discovery, and develop foundational skills through play and responsive caregiving.
As children grow, we empower them to follow their instincts to explore the world around them, learn at their own pace, and connect their interests to meaningful, real-world concepts. Through these experiences, we support all learners in developing a sense of identity, confidence, and belonging within a broader global community.
Miss Sugarman’s School for Extraordinary Children is committed to expanding access to these high-quality learning experiences. Our goal is to grow enrollment thoughtfully and sustainably, increasing our capacity to serve children and families as the need for inclusive, developmentally appropriate education continues to rise.
Our services
Infants 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
As caregivers for infants, we focus on responsive caregiving and offering enrichment experiences that support key developmental milestones. Infants are provided with a safe, nurturing environment where they can explore through sensory play, develop secure attachments, and begin building early communication through eye contact and responsive interactions. Toddlers are encouraged to develop independence, language, and motor coordination through hands-on exploration, movement, music, and play-based learning that supports curiosity and self-expression.
Toddlers 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Toddlers learn through play, hands-on experiences, and real-world activities that build independence and confidence. We honor each child's unique way of learning—whether through art, music, movement, building, or storytelling. Toddlers are encouraged to develop independence, language, and motor coordination through hands-on exploration, movement, music, and play-based learning that supports curiosity and self-expression. Art isn't just a fun activity here; it's one of the many languages children use to share their ideas and make sense of their world. Our teachers act as learning partners, carefully watching what sparks each child's interest and building on those discoveries.
Preschool Full day 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. or Half day AM: 8 -11:30 a.m.
The preschool will serve up to 10 children ages three through five. Our program will balance developmentally appropriate practices with innovative approaches that invigorate young minds through interdisciplinary academics and arts enrichment. We are committed to developing each child's talents, fostering creative problem-solving skills, and introducing STEAM and project-based learning. By emphasizing personal growth and community building, we create a foundation for children to develop a positive self-image and a genuine love for learning.
Afterschool Enrichment Program, Monday through Friday, 2:30-5:30 p.m.
The afterschool program will serve up to 24 children ages five through fourteen. Participants will dive deeper into core academic content through interdisciplinary lessons, inquiry-based learning, gamified learning, and hands-on learning activities. We will focus on identifying and developing specific interests, talents, creative thinking, problem-solving skills, and community and social skills support. Children will have the opportunity to work independently and collaboratively in groups.
Early release extended day program,
Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays 12-5:30 p.m.
The extended day program will serve up to 12 children ages five through fourteen. Participants will dive deeper into core content through interdisciplinary lessons, inquiry-based learning, gamified learning, and hands-on learning activities. We will focus on identifying and developing specific interests, talents, creative thinking and problem-solving skills, and community and social skill support. Children will have the opportunity to work independently and collaboratively as a group. Students will often have polished work to share with families.
2025 Vacation and Summer Camps
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Miss Sugarman’s School for Extraordinary Children’s camps will offer academic and arts enrichment to 12-24 children aged five through fourteen. There will be five one-week sessions each summer, Monday through Friday, in addition to general camps in between. Participants will embark on specific learning journeys involving various educational missions, creative and problem-solving challenges, maker space tinkering, gamified learning, STEAM challenges, and hands-on learning activities. Children will have time for physical activity, motor breaks, rest, socializing, and meals.
Academic and Arts Workshops
9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Miss Sugarman’s School for Extraordinary Children’s workshops will offer academic and arts enrichment to 24 children aged five through fourteen. Workshops will fall on school workshop days and at the beginning and end of the summer (depending on staff development and snow days). Participants will embark on specific learning journeys involving various educational missions, creative and problem-solving challenges, maker space tinkering, gamified learning, STEAM challenges, and hands-on learning activities. Children will have time for physical activity, motor breaks, rest, socializing, and meals.
Academic Enrichment
Our academic enrichment is designed to challenge and engage all spectrums of learners. We offer a range of learning opportunities in subjects such as reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies.
Arts Enrichment
Arts enrichment will allow students to explore and develop their creativity in various visual and performing arts forms including music, theatre, dance, and visual arts. Arts enrichment will be integrated with academic learning.
Social Development
We believe in fostering a sense of community and belonging among our students. Through various social development activities, we encourage our students to form meaningful connections with like-minded peers.
Co-curricular Activities
We offer a range of co-curricular activities to complement our academic and arts enrichment program. These activities include game design, coding, robotics, low impact sports, and mindfulness.
