Turner takes reins at learning center in Sisters

Long-time Sisters childcare advocate and worker Barbara Turner recently took over the reins at A Joyful Noise Learning Center, 104 E. Adams Ave.

Now known as Little Frog Learning Center, the daycare and preschool caters to children from 2-and-a-half to 5 years old. Parents may opt for child care or preschool, and Turner offers a flexible, fun schedule for the children.

Students may come for half or full days; the schedule allows for students to attend every day or a few days each week.

"I can adjust the program depending on a parent's needs," said Turner.

Enrollment is ongoing year-round and new students are welcome at any time.

The center is divided into specific areas for play and learning, allowing the children to explore creatively and interact with their peers. Scheduled learning times include a Spanish class, counting, learning the calendar, and telling time and storytelling. Turner serves lunch each day and has a variety of healthy snacks available throughout the day. There's plenty of fresh-air time too, with outside play every day. The children take a nap each afternoon, balancing the stimulation of interaction with quiet time.

Turner says one advantage of being located in town is the proximity to interesting activities. The children regularly walk around Sisters, learning how to be safe on sidewalks and while crossing the street. A favorite adventure is to ride on one of the three elevators in town.

Turner has a lifelong interest in children; she began her career at 11 years old when she noticed that her church didn't have any child care for the 2- to 5-year-olds, kids too old for the nursery but not yet ready for Sunday school. She convinced her father and the church leaders to let her and a friend take the little ones to an empty classroom during church and play games, learn Bible stories, sing songs and have a snack, allowing both the parents and the children to have a meaningful Sunday morning experience.

She continued her work with young children throughout her marriage (still going strong after 43 years) and raising two children of her own. When the family moved to Sisters 25 years ago, she tried to retire but was drawn once more to working with preschoolers. This led to further work during the summers, running a weekly activities camp for school-age kids that included gymnastics, bowling, outside sports and swimming.

She was instrumental in getting the SOAR (now Sisters Park & Recreation District) preschool program started in the late 1990s. When SOAR formed, Turner came on as the arts supervisor. She suggested implementing before- and after-school care for elementary school students, and the program eventually grew large enough to require the purchase of modular buildings. The preschool program started when Turner figured that the buildings should be used during the school day.

These days, Turner is still "doing what I love," she said. She credits Evelyn Brush, her former employer and owner of A Joyful Noise Learning Center, with mentoring her and providing guidance as she takes on the business side of nurturing local littleones.

"The most fun part for me is seeing a lot of my former preschool students as parents, bringing their children in. It's an amazing circle of coming back," she said.

For more information visit http://www.littlefroglearningcenter.com or call 541-549-2066 to make an appointment. Information flyers are available outside the door of the center.