Preschools: Put kids on the learning track

When a parent chooses Learning Dynamics, they know what their child will get. The curriculum is highly developed and set so each teacher teaches from the same lesson plans, uses the same enrichment materials.

"It's a rich little program," Cheryl Lant said.

Lynn Whearly has operated the Noah's Ark family day care and preschool in southeast Provo for 21 years.

She firmly believes people need a safe place to bring their children.

"Some have no choice but to work," Whearly said. "So I think quality child care is very important. I often tell people who call me to ask lots and lots of questions. They should know about where they're putting their most precious children."

Whearly and her husband and grown sons take care of up to 16 children at a time, from newborn to kindergarten age.

While she teaches children in her care their numbers, colors and letters, she isn't organized as a formal preschool.

"I do include a preschool program for the children 3 years and above, but I don't consider myself a pre-K program, and there's a difference," Whearly said.

The children learn about themselves, about safety and about the world they live in. They're not solely focused on learning language and reading skills.

"I like children to have constructive things to do. We have a lot of fun activities."

She feels she's offering a badly needed service as well as providing some good male role models.

"I think we're needed and valuable. I hate people calling me a baby sitter," she said.

The Brighter Child Play'n Learn Center in Pleasant Grove is also set up to prepare children for life in the kindergarten class.

Cammie Woolley employs eight teachers who work to help the children learn to write their names, learn their colors, numbers, shapes and letters as well as refine their fine and gross motor skills. They study the animal kingdom, the weather, the calendar and are introduced to music and literature.

The center focuses on preparing children not only to feel at ease in kindergarten but to excel.

Their classes are named to reflect that: Little Brights, Whiz Kids, Junior Achievers, Little Einsteins and Preschool Ph.D.s.

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E-mail: haddoc@desnews.com