When Dan Mitzner and Rachel Baumel started Creative Learning Preschool in their Stapleton neighborhood, they had a simple philosophy: Build the kind of preschool they would want their children to attend.
That approach must have worked, because after several expansions at Stapleton, they've opened a new location in Wheat Ridge at 3790 Chase St.
"What I think makes us popular is we focus on smaller classes and really feel like a small business," Mitzner said during Creative Learning's opening celebration on April 12. "We're getting a lot of families here from Wheat Ridge and the Highlands."
The preschool serves infants through 4-year-olds in full-time and part-time options.
Mitzner and Baumel use the Creative Curriculum--; which focuses on exploration and discovery as a way to learn but make adjustments for each student based on their needs.
Creative Learning's owners and staff were joined at the opening by Wheat Ridge Mayor Joyce Jay, Wheat Ridge Business Association president Don Seyfer, Wheat Ridge Economic Development manager Steve Art and local business leaders.
"Care is extremely important to us here in Wheat Ridge," Art said. "The parents who bring their parents here are going to get to know Wheat Ridge."
The preschool started in 2005 as a Mommy and Me program Baumel ran. Eventually, it expanded into child care in 2010, but demand continued to grow.
"The goal is really for us to do this work together," Baumel said. "We've been trying for two years to find something in this part of town."
The Chase location was a day care years ago, but had become dilapidated. Practically every inch had to be reconstructed. Mitzner said before they took over, a dispensary was being considered at the location, so neighbors are particularly happy to have a preschool instead.
"Wheat Ridge has been incredible in helping us open on time," Baumel said. "Everyone at the city was extremely responsive with any issues we had."
The preschool has room for about 48 students and is about 60 percent full. The largest age group is infants so far, Baumel said, which is great because they can age their way through the program.
Art said this kind of business is very welcome in Wheat Ridge, especially with the city's population drawing in young families.
"We don't just do free play, but look at the needs of students," Baumel said. "These are all things we didn't get for our kids, and want others to have."
For more information about Creative Learning, call 720-233-8955 or visit www.creativelearningdenver.com.
from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/Creative-approach-to-preschool-program,212037
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