Three Maine centers, family-owned since 2012

Pettengill Academy began in 2012 as a home child care program and has grown to 3 centers in Lewiston, Auburn, and Brunswick, Maine. Chantel and Zack Pettengill own and run the academy, which is licensed for 484 children across its locations. All three centers are open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Each campus has its own outdoor space. Lewiston has a 5,000-square-foot playground with an outdoor classroom and padded infant and toddler play zones, and Auburn has natural play areas, outdoor kitchens, and student gardens. An onsite cook prepares lunch and an afternoon snack every day from a 5-week rotating menu.

Play-based learning with Funnydaffer and LEARN

Pettengill Academy teaches through play, hands-on exploration, and developmentally appropriate experiences. Classrooms blend the Funnydaffer curriculum with LEARN, an in-house curriculum developed by Chantel Pettengill, covering early language, math, and science alongside social-emotional skills. Outdoor time is treated as part of the curriculum, and kindergarten readiness includes independence, problem-solving, friendships, and managing emotions as well as letters and numbers.

Classrooms are grouped as infants (6 weeks to 12 months), toddlers (1 to 2 years), preschool (2 to 4 years), and pre-K (4 to 5 years).

Ages served: 6 weeks to 12 years.

Health and environmental recognition

Pettengill Academy is recognized as a MaineHealth Gold Site and received the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce’s Cool Chamber Award for environmental stewardship.

Programs, access, and how to connect

CACFP / CCDF: Pettengill Academy participates in CACFP and accepts state child care subsidy. It also participates in Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN).

Contact: 1 Atlantis Way, Lewiston, ME 04240; 48 Merrow Rd, Auburn, ME 04210; and 62 Pegasus St, Brunswick, ME 04011. Call 207-754-3380, email enroll@pettengillacademy.com, or visit pettengillacademy.com. Pettengill Academy is also on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.