Preschool fills need in Valley

From art education and yoga to a classroom dog and worship time, First Lutheran Church Preschool Academy will bring a unique curriculum to Valley Springs Sept. 5.

With three classes that can hold up to 36 kids, the preschool will also fill a need across the area. 

Rebekah Scott has been advocating for a Valley Springs preschool for two years. There were preschool options in Brandon, but transportation was tricky – and Scott was pretty sure the numbers would show the community could support a preschool right in town. 

“I’m just a farm wife who really wanted to take her kids to Valley Springs,” Scott said. “I’m super excited that the community backed up a need.” 

The preschool will offer three classes: 8:40-11:40 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays for 3- and 4-year-olds and two classes for 4- and 5-year-olds: 12:30-3 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 8:40-11:40 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Each class can accomodate 12 students. 

“I think they really want what we offer,” said Lanette Hendrickson, director, and one of three teachers at the preschool.

Hendrickson and Katie Siemonsma have taught together nine years in Brandon. Amy Kasten has taught with them 7 of those years. 

“A lot of our ideas and what we want to do is Montessori-inspired,” Hendrickson said. “It’s really about the whole child – not colors and numbers. We also want them to be good people and good citizens.”

An open house and registration was held Aug. 8. Twenty-five students are enrolled at the preschool, located in the basement of First Lutheran Church at 301 Maple St., Valley Springs.

Parent feedback is important to the teachers – that they’re giving parents what they want and expect.

“This is the start. This is the birth. These are going to be founding parents. They’re going to be able to help mold this program,” Hendrickson said. “You can’t care for the child if you can’t care for the family.”

Kasten will teach art education and yoga. She takes a hands-on approach. For art, for instance, she’ll choose an artist for the children to study – someone with a quirk or distinct trait. If it’s Michaelangelo, who painted upside down, Kasten will have students paint under a table to get a similar perspective. 

The preschool’s art supplies were donated by congregation members, as well as many of the toys and other equipment. The curriculum will include chapel, prayer and worship.

“The church really took a leap of faith. It’s really the congregation members here at First Lutheran. I pitched the idea and they took it and ran with it,” Hendrickson said. “The church here is really owning this and we are just lucky to be a part of it.”

Lesley Schoolcraft is on First Lutheran Church’s board of education. She’ll serve as chair and business administrator for the preschool.

“It’s a real commitment to the youth in our community. It’s a great way to inspire these kids with a creative and fun learning environment that they might not have had otherwise,” Schoolcraft said. “And this is such an exciting new venture for our church.”

First Lutheran Church Preschool Academy will be paper-free and notify parents through Facebook and Google Classroom. They hope to offer scholarships for kids whose families may not be able to afford the tuition. 

Registration forms are on the preschool’s Facebook page. A student open house will be held 5-7 p.m. Aug. 29 for families enrolled. The first day of class is Tuesday, Sept. 5. 

“This has been a dream of a community,” Hendrickson said. “This community, I have no doubt, will rally around a preschool with their name on it. There’s something to be said about Valley pride.”