News & Events
To our Biddeford Ready! Community,
Over the past several years, Biddeford Ready! has brought together community organizations, educators, municipal leaders, providers, and advocates around a shared goal: supporting young learners and strengthening kindergarten readiness in Biddeford. We are deeply grateful for the time, collaboration, and commitment that so many of you have contributed to this work.
After careful consideration, we have made the decision to sunset the Biddeford Ready! program effective June 30, 2026.
While this decision was not made lightly, we believe it is the right time to conclude the program and redirect efforts and resources toward other collaborative opportunities that continue to support children and families in Biddeford and York County more broadly.
We want to share a few important updates related to the initiative:
Imagination Library: Families currently enrolled through Biddeford Ready will continue receiving books through July 2026, ensuring all enrolled children can complete their participation in the program.
Community Coalition Meetings: The Biddeford Ready community coalition will conclude the end of May, 2026. We encourage partners interested in continuing regional collaboration and early childhood discussions to stay connected through ongoing groups such as the York County Providers meetings, and the York County Early Childhood Coalition.
We remain incredibly proud of what this community has accomplished together through Biddeford Ready! The conversations, partnerships, and collective focus on early childhood and school readiness have helped elevate the importance of supporting young learners and families in Biddeford.
Thank you again for your partnership and for the many ways you continue to support children and families across our community. As I mentioned earlier, we are not going anywhere and we look forward to continuing to serve our Biddeford community! Please reach out to info@uwsme.org for questions or concerns.
With gratitude,
Biddeford Ready! program staff
Biddeford Ready! Partners with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Program to Bring Free Books to Biddeford Families
Biddeford Ready! has partnered with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to provide high-quality books to Biddeford families with children under 5. Parents and guardians with a Biddeford zip code can sign up for the program online and receive books every month, delivered directly to their homes, at no cost and regardless of income.
Story Hour at The Hub
Biddeford Ready! is kicking off Story Hour on August 18! Join us every Friday, from 10am-11am at The Hub located at 46 Sullivan St, Suite 101, in Downtown Biddeford.
School Readiness Fair on April 1
To kick off the Week of the Young Child, Biddeford Ready! is hosting a FREE School Readiness Fair for families on April 1, from 11am-2pm, at the JFK Memorial School.
Biddeford WinterFest
Winter Fun Time! This is the true “heart” of WinterFest! Come on out and enjoy the snow! Come on out for a FREE day of fun for families in the center of downtown!
Biddeford Ready! Rolls Out 'You Are a Superhero' Campaign
Biddeford Ready!, a network of over 30 community partners who work together to ensure all children in Biddeford enter Kindergarten ready to thrive, introduced "You Are a Superhero" campaign. The campaign aims to harness the power of our kids’ superheroes–families, caregivers, early care providers and other community members–to give our kids a strong start and lead longer, healthier lives.
Biddeford Mayor to Proclaim April 10-16 as the Week of the Young Child®
On Tuesday, April 6, during a Council Meeting, Mayor Alan Casavant will proclaim April 10-16, 2021 as the Week of the Young Child®.
Join Biddeford Ready’s growing team and help children and families!
The United Way York of County and Biddeford Ready! are excited to announce the posting for a full-time Network Coordinator for Biddeford Ready! We are accepting applications until March 29.
ACEs Training Opportunities
In September 2020, the Pinetree Institute in Eliot, Maine hosted an ACE Interface training for approximately 30 local individuals from all walks of life. This training focused on understanding how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) impact children's brain development and can therefore result in numerous physical and emotional difficulties throughout their lives. Biddeford Ready!'s Network Coordinator, Sharon Trace, was fortunate to be able to be part of this training during her first week on the job with Biddeford Ready! and she will provide free training to local organizations.
Child care to benefit from 'Back to Work' bond proposed by Governor Mills
Governor Mills has proposed a new $111 million bond to grow the state's economy by investing in broadband expansion, strengthening the workforce, heritage industry innovation and child care.
Eight Biddeford Childcare Providers Receive COVID Relief Grants
Biddeford Ready! awarded $6,000 of COVID Relief Grants to eight home-based and center-based childcare providers in Biddeford, thanks to the generosity of the Maine Community Foundation.
Child care centers and essential workers with kids get federal help during pandemic
From The Portland Press Herald: Some relief arrived Wednesday with the news that Maine received nearly $11 million in federal funding to support access to child care for the state’s essential workers and to provide relief for child care providers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The money is part of the CARES Act and comes through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for the Children and Families’ Child Care and Development Block Grant program.