Participation in STARS means that a program is striving beyond licensing regulations to meet higher quality standards, uphold professional practices, and commit to continuous quality improvement.

As a new center, licensed on 10/22/2023, the Cabot Children’s Center is a 1-star center, indicating we are in good standing with Vermont licensing regulations.  We are focused on achieving a 5-star rating as soon as possible.

Donate

The Cabot Child Care Initiative that helps support the Cabot Children’s Center depends on contributions from friends, families, community members, and foundations to fulfill our mission.

*All donations are tax-deductible.

Making childcare affordable is a constant challenge, please consider supporting the center operations or contribute to the Cabot Childcare Scholarship Fund.

Curriculum & Philosophy

In addition to exemplary care for children’s needs, the teachers at the Cabot Children’s Center promote exploration, discovery, creative expression, and social/emotional well-being.

Communication

We communicate openly with families.  While your child is in our care you will be able to check in electronically, stop in for a classroom visit or join us for to share a meal.

What your child’s day will look like: 

Hours of operation 6:30 am- 5:30 pm

Mealtimes: 8:30am breakfast, 11 :30am lunch, 2: 15pm snack 

Quiet time/Napping: 12: 15 – 2:00 pm

As your child grows, we want to make sure that your and your child’s needs are being accommodated and will try to follow your family schedule of nap times and sleep needs. 

Family Style Meals

We serve homemade meals and accommodate any dietary requirements to maintain a safe environment from allergens. All meals are served family style. Family members are always welcome to share a meal with their child and their classroom. 

Potty Training 

Cabot Children’s Center believes that potty training should be child led; it is imperative that a child is ready for this transition both physically and psychologically. When your child expresses interest in using the bathroom either at home or the center, we ask that the classroom teacher and parents form a plan that can be used at both home and the center in order to provide the child with a consistent routine. A child who is interested at home may not want to use the bathroom at the center, and vice versa, and that will be supported. Until your child can demonstrate 2 weeks of bladder control, we cannot transition them to underwear/training pants due to health and sanitation regulations. Again, we ask that extra socks, underwear, and pants are provided as accidents do happen. If a child experiences a regression, Cabot Children’s Center will request a plan of action be set with the parents and classroom teachers to ensure a positive experience for the child.

Additional Support Services

All children are welcome at the Cabot Children’s Center.  Staff works closely with Children’s Integrated Services and the local school district to be able to ensure your child receives the services needed. Service providers can meet with children on site, allowing for services to be provided while caregivers are able to remain at work. Staff members are willing to participate in meetings to advocate for your child’s needs and ensure that goals and growth are achieved.

All children within the center will be assessed as needed using Ages and Stages or TS Gold questionnaires if there appears to be a milestone that has not been reached or a concern in your child’s development. Any concerns will be communicated in a private and sensitive manner.

Inclusivity

We are dedicated to ensuring that each child has access to the opportunities, supports, technologies and materials that will encourage their growth and learning. And we will work diligently to make sure that the Cabot Children’s Center is a place that welcomes families of all different backgrounds, means, and structures. 

Attention has already been given to make sure the center provides: 

• Books, dolls and images with diverse representations of race, ethnicity, age, gender and physical abilities and avoid harmful stereotypes. 
• Crayons and other crafting materials that include a variety of skin tone colors. 
• A floorplan that ensures children and parents that may be mobility challenged are able to successfully navigate the center. 
• Staff trainings on cultural sensitivity and unconscious bias to help build an inclusive environment.
• Identify the needs and abilities of children and secure resources to adequately offer support and accommodations for all.
• Resources to assist staff in pursuing higher education in early childhood education to help foster an environment with greater equity, diversity and inclusion.

ABC/LOL Child Care is the operator of the Cabot Children’s Center, led by Heather Smires.  Heather has proven experience in creating a an environment that is child & family focused and welcomes families of all means.  Her passion for early childhood education started when she was in high school.  The center she started in Danville after high school graduation grew from serving 6 children to a center for 39 children.  In 2011, Heather opened ABC & LOL Child Care Center in St. Johnsbury that is now a 5-Star rated, high quality center.  ​In November 2021, Heather contracted with a not for profit in Peacham to open the Peacham Children’s Academy, which serves small children from infancy through pre-school, and the Peacham Afterschool Learning Program.  The Cabot Children’s Center is Heather’s sixth center and will serve 14 children.  Through these 6 centers, Heather serves more than 240 children and employs 45 staff members.  Heather is a very well experienced and respected childcare specialist and we are fortunate to have her leading the Cabot team.