Preschool begins for Sisters' youngest

Lily Aamodt enjoys the sandbox at A Joyful Noise Preschool. photo by Susan Springer Big kids are not the only ones heading back to class this September -- many little Sisters residents are starting school, too.

Four local preschools help prepare children for kindergarten. The schools expect to be full and some expect waiting lists. They offer similar activities such as story time, painting, outdoor play and songs. However, the preschools differ in teaching philosophy, number of days a week and price.

Sisters Elementary School kindergarten teacher Karen Joy Ritchie says local preschool teachers do a wonderful job of getting kids ready for school. However, she says preschool "is not the only answer." Parents can prepare their children for kindergarten by reading to them and providing learning experiences through trips to the grocery store, park, library and museums.

A Joyful Noise Preschool offers a program based on the European Waldorf philosophy. Owner Evelyn Brush wants to "build skills for a lifetime" by teaching abilities such as listening, memory and imagination.

At her school, children garden, bake bread and learn to sew. Brush said, "We're old-fashioned here," adding there is no TV and toys are made of natural materials.

Brush teaches children age three to five in the same class so that younger and older children interact. The two-day a week schedule costs $135 a month and all five days costs $315 a month. She is building an addition to her preschool to offer a second class starting January for 12 more students.

The Little Cloverdale Preschool wants to give children "a great foundation," said teacher Ann Kauzlarich.

Children learn specific tasks such as writing their names as well as life skills such as building confidence. Miss Ann, as she is known to her students, uses themes to center activities. For example, a lesson on the weather is a springboard for art projects, and learning scientific terms and colors. She builds on familiar facts so students "start the process of finding knowledge."

Little Cloverdale has space for 10 Acorns, or three-year- olds, and 12 Pinecones, or four-year-olds. Their Monday, Wednesday, Friday program is run by Kauzlarich with two parent helpers. One month for three-year-olds, who attend in the morning, is $90. A month for four-year-olds, who attend in the afternoon, costs $115.

Parents can apply for scholarships.

SOAR and Head Start joined last year to offer a joint preschool. SOAR preschool teacher Darcey Ling-Scott said, "We want them to learn according to their own individual style."

Each week, there is a theme such as animals or safety. Ling-Scott says they keep a daily schedule yet she likes children to explore and "learn through play."

They offer a four-day-a-week program for 18 children at a cost of $160 a month. There is no cost for children who qualify through Head Start. The program includes meals. Preschool will start at the end of September and is expected to be full.

Sonrise Christian School offers a preschool that goes beyond an academic program to teach "a Christian world view." Sonrise could not be reached for more details.

Kindergarten teacher Ritchie says parents need to find the right balance between encouraging their children to go to the next step and providing peace and calm.

"Childhood should be a journey, not a race," she said.