ABOUT US

Miss Melissa and Melissa's Private Preschool

A Very Special Talent

Melissa's Private Preschool has a unique dedication and enthusiasm for teaching preschoolers. Working with children in a positive and successful way takes a true talent. This special talent is evident in Miss Melissa as she is committed to building each child’s self-esteem through positive motivation and enriching learning activities.

In teaching preschool to three, four and five year-old children she finds it important  to focus on each student's individual learning needs. By learning as much as possible about her students she is able to provide the best educational and developmentally appropriate experiences possible.

During the early months of the school year she spends much of her time helping the children learn to play cooperatively and encouraging creative play. Throughout the year she begins to lead small groups and individuals in cognitive learning experiences. These small groups and individual learning experiences help to promote appropriate cognitive and social growth.

“My goal is to prepare your child to become a successful BIG SCHOOL student.”

-Melissa Myers

Our History

As a "stay-at-home mom" and "working dad" with a 3-year old daughter, the options available to the Myers' family for preschool were quite limited. Like most parents, all they wanted for their daughter was to better prepare her for the skills necessary to successfully enter K-12. After searching for several months the couple finally enrolled their daughter in a church-based preschool close to their home. They looked past the church affiliation with hopes of having their daughter excel in a classroom environment. To their dismay, they found the preschool offered little more than a social atmosphere in which the children were looked after much like a daycare.

At the end of their daughter's first year of preschool the couple looked for other available options. Expensive private academies hundreds of miles away and other local faith-based curriculums were all that they could find. The more they looked, the more evident it became to them that there was a real need for an academic based preschool in their community.

It was then that they asked themselves the simple question, "what's stopping us from creating one?" 

Melissa's past experience in early childhood education provided the necessary skills and experience a teacher needed to instruct young children in a classroom environment. It was her experiences as a mother (and the aspirations for her daughter) though that would, more than anything, help to construct the base set of values, skills and educational goals she hoped to instill in all potential students. Melissa contacted friends, family and other dissatisfied parents about the idea of creating a new preschool. Everyone quickly agreed, committing to enrolling their children if it could be done. The dream was realized and Melissa's Private Preschool was finally born.

Utilizing their homes layout and the spaces previously used from Melissa's private daycare center, the couple began an extensive remodel which created a very unique solution to meet the growing demand for her school. One third of the family's home was partitioned from the main living space to create the preschool's classroom and the inviting atmosphere. The entire back yard was converted to a playground complete with multiple swings and an expansive jungle gym with various slides and activities. A separate entrance to the classroom was also added, further separating the preschool from the family's main residence.

An advanced 39-week curriculum focusing on reading, handwriting, auditory and oral language skills was then purchased and prepared for the future students. Supplemental worksheets, exercises and projects involving the creative areas of art and music, science exploration and social studies finalized the program.

VIRCO® Preschool Furniture was then purchased to complete the classroom. Age appropriate activity tables, desks, bookshelves and chairs from their Colorful 4000 Series Primary Collection™ were chosen. Puzzles, books, games, activities, art supplies and musical instruments then filled the shelves.

After months of tireless planning, hard work and perseverance, Melissa's Private Preschool opened its doors to the public in September, 2005.

Continuing To Grow

In the summer of 2006, Melissa's Private Preschool expanded its playground area by adding an additional jungle gym, pouring a small basketball court and then replacing the existing bark landscaping with a more "kid-friendly" pea gravel.

In the fall of 2006, an "indoor play area" was created for use by the children during the winter months when it became too cold outside for recess. An existing structure was remodeled which had previously stored the preschool's outdoor toys. The building was sheet-rocked,  textured, painted and then French doors were installed. An indoor play structure (complete with a play kitchen and slide) was built and then dollhouses and other fun toys filled the room.

Our Future Commitment

Our dedication will always guide us as we continue to expand, meeting the growing needs of our students and parents alike.  Plans for the summer of 2010 will include additional sidewalks (from the existing sidewalk to the entrance of the preschool), landscaping and an additional computer workstations.

Tools for Kindergarten & Beyond

Melissa’s Private Preschool teaches its students the fundamentals of Reading, Writing and Arithmetic to help better prepare them for Kindergarten and beyond. Students learn these subjects as well as basic introductions to Computers, Science, Geography, History, Creative Arts and Music Appreciation through a structured curriculum over the course of a 9-month school year. As key components to a child's growth and successful development, we focus our curriculum on the following areas:

Literacy Awareness

Citizenship & Values

Math & Technology

Arts Awareness

Science Experimentation

Social Studies

Logic & Reasoning Skills

A "Home-Away-From-Home"

Melissa’s Private Preschool is a “home-away-from-home” where children receive a wonderful education in a relaxed, nurturing and positive atmosphere.  Our enriched program coupled with a low child-teacher ratio and small class sizes allow children to experience a child-centered, hands-on learning environment.  Children learn through positive, cognitive activities directed by a talented and caring teacher. Every child’s social, emotional, cognitive, and academic development is closely monitored and promoted in positive ways designed to further curiosity and creativity. We encourage our children whenever possible to learn to make their own decisions and to solve problems with guidance when necessary or desirable. By guiding students and respecting their individual temperaments, talents, and abilities our curriculum encompasses every child’s interest, enthusiasm, and ideas.

Establishing A Learning Foundation

A quality preschool education establishes a learning foundation that enables children to arrive at kindergarten ready to learn, play and build on their self confidence. Melissa's Private Preschool builds this foundation by developing and refining the following areas in each child:

Problem Solving Skills

Conceptual & Language Skills

Manipulative & Creative Abilities

Interaction With Adults & Peers

Self-discipline & Self-help Skills

Building A Positive Attitude

Large & Small Muscle Development

Kindergarten Preparation

Thinking & Reasoning Skills

Measuring Success

We measure success by witnessing our students who not only find happiness and joy in our educational setting but who learn with incredible proficiency.

2004-10 All rights reserved, Melissa's Private Preschool

Website Terms of Use  Created By Sour Green Designs