Portside Learning Center

I have 3 kids ages 5 and under. We've attended a couple of other daycares before we started at Portside, and we have lots of friends with little kids in other daycares. I can say without a doubt that Portside is just the absolute best. The staff is great, communication is great, the preschool program is top-notch and SO FUN - I can't believe all the stuff they do. They have a Spanish teacher, a yoga/mindfulness teacher, a dance teacher. They have a huge outdoor playspace with paths through the woods and footbridges over streams. They have veggie gardens and a field of tiny wild strawberries and a "bear cave". Over the past few years this place has become like a second family, a true community. My oldest is about to graduate and move on to Kindergarten and a tiny part of me is worried that she'll never again get the level of education, LOVE, and feeling of a "second home" that Portside gives to her every day.

Our family has been at Portside Learning Center since 2018. It has been an amazing experience. We love all the teachers and staff and everyone is very friendly, caring, supportive and love our kids like their own! My children are thriving because of the education they provide. The outdoor program is so impressive. There is Spanish, yoga, mindfulness, music, field trips! They go above and beyond in every way! I can’t recommend Portside enough!!

I can not recommend Portside Learning Center enough!! My oldest son started at Portside when he was just 7 weeks old and attended right up until he moved onto kindergarten. There wasn’t ever a second that I didn’t feel or know that he was being loved and cared for by all the staff who are beyond kind, trained, and incredibly caring. They do their very best to communicate and make sure any questions or concerns you have are answered and you are at ease. They utilize the brightwheel app to share cute photos and detailed updates about your child’s day. The director, Nicole, is always updating play spaces, surprising the children with water slides and ice cream trucks during the summer, and providing all kinds of other extra curricular field trips, special days, and activities. The center even throws an end of the summer Palooza which is such a blast! My son still laughs and talks about getting to dunk his teacher in the dunk tank! They have yoga classes, dance classes, Spanish, mindfulness, visits from the book mobile, and so much more! Some of my son’s favorite field trips have included trips to Randall’s Orchard, Smiling Hill farms, East End beach, Portland Public Library, Libby’s strawberry picking, and Mackworth Island. The acre of land behind the building is amazing and the children get to explore, learn, and use their imagination to the fullest. My son went to kindergarten well prepared academically, but most importantly, he was equipped with the knowledge of how to be a kind and caring friend and was socially and emotionally prepared to make new friends. My youngest son is now enrolled in the infant room and I thank my lucky stars that he will receive the same loving care and experiences his brother had and thrived from. If you are looking to be part of a community who cares and supports one another and have staff that loves your children like their own then Portside Learning Center is the place for you!

Portside is an exceptional childcare center in Portland, ME. Our family appreciates the excellent communication and the kindness from the director and staff. Our kiddos feel safe and learn in a fun nurturing environment, which includes (but not limited to) outdoor learning, specials in yoga, Spanish and mindfulness. Visits from the Portland library bookmobile! Field trips to lean about how maple syrup is made. Adventure walks, trunk or treat, Portside Palooza. The director and teachers go above and beyond to make sure the kids have fun!

My nephews went here when they were little and their Mom, Nicole had to work. Now Nicole is the owner, and I can’t think of a better more loving, giving, nurturing or caring person to be in her position. Nicole does everything utmost care and she loves each of the students like they were her own. She wears her heart on her sleeve and it shines and shows everywhere you look when you’re at Portside. There is no better early childhood learning center in the Portland area!