FARMINGTON — The University of Maine at Farmington has appointed Erica Thompson, UMF graduate of the class of 2015, as the director for the UMF Sweatt-Winter Child Care and Early Education Center.

Thompson started as director at the previous UMF campus Sweatt-Winter location on Sept. 18. The new facility at 274 Front Street welcomed children and their families Oct. 23.

“This is such an exciting time for the Sweatt-Winter Center, our children and their families. It is a big move to the new location, but I am looking forward to seeing the children explore their new surroundings, discover new interests, have fun in the nature-based outdoor playscape and make it their own,” Thompson said.

The Sweatt-Winter program has served families in Franklin County and the surrounding area for more than 30 years. The new state-of-the-art center aims to expand on that legacy and transform the look of childcare in the future while also preparing university students for their careers in education. The center takes a comprehensive approach to creating an environment that nurtures children’s holistic development and is a mix of children, teachers, university students and UMF early childhood faculty who work directly with the staff and students on a daily basis.

Thompson previously worked as an educator and child care provider at the Community Concepts Head Start and Early Learning Centers in Farmington and Wilton for seven and a half years.  During the last year and a half she managed the center, providing support to children, families and staff.

As Sweatt-Winter director, Thompson’s role will include the design, implementation and evaluation of high quality and developmentally appropriate curriculum. Her administrative role includes overseeing the daily administration and record keeping needed in children’s programming. She will also manage and oversee the center’s budgeting and billing, enrollment projections and procedures.

In her capacity as administrator of the University Lab School, Thompson will work closely with UMF faculty to coordinate and manage the scheduling of field work, practica, internships, student teaching and other laboratory learning experiences for university students.

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