Located in Gorham, Seedlings to Sunflowers is a nonprofit childcare and family center with two campuses: one at South Gorham Crossing and another at the Industrial Parkway site. With a Seedlings Outdoor Education Coordinator on staff, 8 raised beds, a greenhouse, nature playground and a sensory garden, they are nurturing early childhood children ages 1 – 5 years about the importance of growing using a vegetable and herb garden, flowers and ornamentals and composting!
Gardening & Nature-Based Programming
Seedlings to Sunflowers employ a Garden Program Coordinator who assists teachers with engaging their students with gardening and nature-based activities including indoor gardening activities throughout the year. Their original location at 11 South Gorham Crossing has an 18×24 greenhouse that is open year round and acts as an additional “outdoor” space for students to play in during the colder months. The students also have fun playing on their 4,800 square foot Nature Playgarden that includes an embankment slide, tire caterpillar, in-ground garden beds and a plexiglass root garden. They have 8 plus raised garden beds where children are involved with planting and nurturing vegetables, flowers, and fruit from seed to full plant. Children take part in harvesting, cleaning, and enjoying what they’ve grown as part of their snack. At their new, 3 Gorham Industrial Parkway location, they are currently working toward building out their gardening areas as they grow into the space so they can eventually offer the same type of programming at this location as well.
Food Program
Students enrolled in their food program receive breakfast, lunch and snacks incorporating fresh, local ingredients sourced from Native Maine and Bumbleroot Organic Farm. These meals and snacks offer a variety of well rounded meals while introducing students to different flavors and textures. Their Chef often incorporates foods from the countries that the students are learning about from their Cultural Curriculum. Through the Food Program, they teach the importance of healthy eating and educate children about sustainable food practices.
They are a proud partner of the Let’s Go 5-2-1-0 program which has also helped them to establish healthy living goals for the school (they even received their GOLD STAR Award for their commitment to excellence in healthy eating and active living for children and families!) showing their commitment to offering healthy foods and activities to their students while sharing Let’s Go! healthy lifestyle ideas and activities with our families.
Want to know more?!
- Check out Seedlings to Sunflowers website
- Email Seedlings Outdoor Education Coordinator Gray Albani at gray@seedlingstosunflowers.org
- MSGN Garden Directory Listing
- Maine Health’s Let’s Go! 5-2-1-0 Program
- Seedlings to Sunflowers Non Profit Childcare & Family Center Facebook
- Suppliers: Native Maine and Bumbleroot Organic Farm
