An alternative learning experience at My Pre Academy

Stephanie Douglas knows what it is like to have a career and manage a family. She says when her son was young, it was always a scramble to get out of her job and to her day care provider on time for the pick up. Stephanie says that is precisely one of the reasons why she created My Pre Academy, an alternative learning experience for children aged 18 months to six years, which caters to the needs of busy parents.

"We will be open from 6:30 am until 6:30 pm," she says, adding that arrangements can always be made for someone to stay later for parents who just can't get there on time.

There are cameras in every classroom and the Academy has a 'family room' for the parents in which they can watch their children interact with others. Any parent wishing to be in other rooms of the school, have to be accompanied by a school official.

My Pre Academy is an alternative learning experience for the children because not only does it teach reading, writing, science and math, but the curriculum also includes dance, music, singing, physical fitness and computers. There is also a large playground that will wrap around the facility, which includes a bike track, hop scotch, dinky car track, putting green, and swings and slides.

"This is a whole different experience for the child," Stephanie says.

My Pre Academy will have about eight children per class. There will be separate rooms throughout the school for the various learning experiences. Each room will have a theme, for example, the Looney Tunes Room for the music class. The school will provide breakfast, lunch and two snacks throughout the day.

"This experience will help provide the proper training children need," she says. Stephanie thinks opening up opportunities such as dance and art to children at a young age is beneficial in the long term.

My Pre Academy will also feature a theme country once a month, and the students will learn about the countries' language, history and geography.

"One theme month takes us to France," Stephanie says. "The children will learn about Paris, and the language can be used in math class, for counting." In the art class, Stephanie says the children would draw

what they have learned about, which could include a picture of the Eiffel Tower, and in science class, they would look at the different types of plants France has.

My Pre Academy is open to all, and Stephanie meets with the parents and child in their home before registration.

"It's important to meet the child, to see if this would be a good program for them."

My Pre Academy will be open all year round, so parents who are in a panic at the end of June when they have to look for a sitter for the summer, need not to worry.

"We are only going to be closed on civic holidays."

The parents are given a mid term report to see how their child is doing in various subjects. Stephanie says the report is not just based on academics, but on social skills as well.

The report card covers reading, writing, math, arts and crafts, science, music, dance, computers, gym, manners, listening skills, cooperation skills, working alone, and general comments.

"It is important to me that all children are given an equal opportunity to learn," she says.

My Pre Academy will be opening its doors on January 2, 2006. Located on 31 King Street, which is in the south end of Barrie, almost abutting Innisfil, Stephanie is now registering children to start in January. To make an appointment, call Stephanie at (705) 728-0707.