I am an early childhood educator, a Teacher with Head Start currently.  I have been in ECE for six years in various roles - teaching, directing, and home visiting for families.  I enjoy being a resource for families and an advocate for children. There is a shortage of child care workers and teachers in this field which means a decreased amount of attention to a child's individual needs overall. 

My focus is to create a smaller preschool for children aged 3-5 years.  I need to acquire space to accommodate approximately 24 children along with teachers and myself.  This space would include individual classrooms for 3, 4, and 5 year old children along with the materials necessary for learning.  Typically, preschool-aged children learn best through play along with small group learning. Learning centers filled with blocks, vehicles, science materials, math and manipulative toys, books and music, puppets, sensory play, furniture, for example, are essential to the variety of ways we teachers incorporate learning. School readiness skills are also essential in preparing children to be ready for Kindergarten.  Materials such as paper, pencils, crayons, art supplies, puzzles, critical thinking activities, games, curriculum and assessment tools are all requirements in being successful.

From experience, I can tell you most child care and preschool classrooms of this age group usually hold 16-20 children each.  It is overstimulating for kids as well as teachers.  It often limits the amount of one on one time a child receives.  It also increases the risk of negative behaviors.  I am creating a smaller center to ensure an environment that is not overwhelming and that caters to individualization with lesser numbers in each classroom.  Many young children need additional care, be it time for extended conversations to build language skills or extra guidance in learning how to achieve a developmental goal. Speech and cognitive delays are becoming more and more common.  Behavioral issues are on the rise.  These are simply facts that teachers have to keep in mind. Having a space that offers opportunity for solid relationship building between teacher and child and teacher and parents will bring about a safe, nurturing, educational environment that will benefit these children as they grow and move forward.

Your donation is important to me in making this goal become a reality.  I want my preschool to be successful, a place where families feel welcomed and valued. Alongside acquiring appropriate space for this venture will be licensing requirements.  I will be cooperating with state and county regulations to avoid any safety hazards, to stay up to date on policies and procedures within this industry, and will adhere to continuing education requirements for myself and my staff. 

Thank you so much for your consideration of investing in my journey!