Rayitos de Sol Shines
Rayitos de Sol Childcare has big news!
Mano en Manos bilingual childcare program, Rayitos de Sol opened its doors in 2021 with the mission to provide bilingual, student-centered childcare services so that all kids can shine! The center acts as a bridge to connect families from different backgrounds so that language and culture are celebrated and enrich our whole community.
For the past three years we have been working hard to raise money to expand the center into a newly constructed building and more than double the centers capacity- growing from 1 classroom serving 12 children, to 5 classrooms that serve 64 children (infants, toddlers, preschoolers, elementary age students).
Photos from our 2021 groundbreaking celebration!
Thanks to donors throughout Maine and across the country, we were able to begin construction in 2021, while we continued to raise funding and support.
This past April, Rayitos de Sol received $831,000 in support from US Senator Angus Kings congressional appropriations package. This grant was crucial to complete the center and to support our growing community.
Photos of the new building!
Currently, the building is in its final stages of construction- awaiting approval to complete our playground space and outdoor learning areas. Last week the building was inspected by the childcare licensing inspectors and the fire marshall and received the approval to welcome children to the space and begin programming!
Pictures from the inside of the center!
As we continue planning and await the approval for our outdoor playground, Rayitos de Sol will open at partial capacity to run a bilingual summer program! The program called, Rayitos de Verano (“Sunbeams of Summer”) will run from July 15- August 30th, and welcome children of elementary school age (ages 5-12). Kiddos will take part in activities including: art, sports, group games, and daily walking field trips to outdoor learning and play spaces around Milbridge.
Come soak up the summer sun at Rayitos de Sol!
We are excited to welcome children ages 5-12 to our first ever bilingual summer program-Rayitos de Verano!
This September the center will open to provide childcare services to children ages infant- toddler and support year-round and seasonal families in Downeast Maine.
We want to extend our gratitude to all of the donors, partners and big hearted individuals who listened to the need for childcare in our community, and generously gave to support families and kids. As Rayitos de Sol begins to operate in our new and improved space, we want to celebrate this huge step towards celebrating bilingual education and realizing this community dream.
If you have any questions or want to learn more about how to enroll your child at Rayitos de Sol, please contact us at: rayitos@manomaine.org.
Although we are growing, we still need support to shine!
Give today to support Bilingual Childcare and Rayitos de Sol
