From April 7-11, in celebration of Early Childhood Week, nonprofit childcare center Children’s Corner will launch its Giving Week campaign. The goal is to raise $10,000 to support tuition assistance, essential facility upgrades, and improvements to their programs.
For the first time since the pandemic, Children’s Corner is once again filled with the sounds of children. As demand for high-quality childcare increases, the center is working to reopen its much-needed infant room and expand services for local families. With rising interest and enrollment, Children’s Corner is preparing to hire more teachers, provide additional classroom materials, and ensure safe, enjoyable outdoor spaces for children to play, regardless of the weather.
As the classrooms buzz with learning, laughter, naps, and storytime, this small nonprofit depends on private donations to address urgent needs. These include providing tuition assistance to families, such as the recently admitted single-parent family, replacing broken dryers, and maintaining both the buildings and outdoor areas.
Since its founding, Children’s Corner has supported over 1,000 local children and families, improving their lives. In 1989, the community of Bar Harbor recognized the need for quality childcare for working families. With the backing of MDI Hospital, First National Bank, Don’s Shop & Save (now Hannaford), Jackson Laboratory, Atlantic College, and other local businesses, the Kids Corner Child Care Center opened its doors in September 1990 at the corner of Eden and Desert Hills Streets.
The “Week of Giving” marks the start of the center’s year-long 35th anniversary celebration.
In honor of this milestone, several cherished events will return, including:
- Potluck dinners and community clean-up days for Kids Corner families
- Participation in Bar Harbor’s July 4th Parade with a “Mary Poppins Returns” theme
- A fall raffle supported by donations from local businesses
- A Special 35th Anniversary Celebration for Kids Corner
“When we were looking for a place for our children to grow, socialize, and enjoy an enriched childhood, I was encouraged to check out Lori at Kids Corner,” said one current parent. “From the outside, you can’t fully appreciate the magical environment created by the dedicated staff. It’s one of the reasons my family volunteers at KC – to help Lori find the resources needed to maintain the buildings and grounds so they reflect the warmth and care you feel as soon as you walk through the door.”
