Duck, Duck, Goose offers preschool fun

Sisters' Industrial Park is more industrious than usual these days. Instead of building boats or log homes, the activity centers around carving pumpkins, putting on plays and having fun.

Sarina Henderson moved her preschool and daycare services to an expansive new location last summer, and she's loving all the space.

"We exceed the national, not just the state, standard for square feet per child," she said.

The size of the facility allows lots of room to stretch out and for separate rooms for infants and toddlers and for older kids.

For Henderson, creating a home-like environment for her charges is the top priority.

"The emotional level here is like their home," she said. "They're family; this is their second home."

Henderson offers a preschool program from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and day care services through the rest of the day.

It was a lack of such services in Sisters for her own children that led Henderson into what became a thriving career.

"I gave up a great job with benefits to do this - and kind of found my calling," she said.

With all the room in the facility, Henderson sees growth in the future - but only if she has "great staff" to accommodate it. She'd really like to expand the facilities for art and drama, which is an important element of the atmosphere.

"We play and we socialize and we learn through dress-up and drama," she said. "We love pretending. I'd love to see that part of what we do expanded."

The infant/toddler program is currently full; there are some openings for pre-school age children. Henderson also has work opportunities in her state-certified program.

For more information call 549-DUCK.