Kristy's Little Learners Preschool
Welcome to Little Learners Preschool! The Playschool is a licensed Playschool that follows the guidelines of the Alberta Government, Child and Family Services.
The preschool is owned and operated by an experienced former Kindergarten Teacher, Kristy Guidinger. Kristy has taught Kindergarten in the Public School System for 10 years where she had formal training in; "Animated Literacy", "Power of 10", "6 Traits of Writing", "CARE Kit", "Critical Thinking" and planning that targets student engagement (UbD) and many more Professional Development opportunities that were specific to Early Childhood Education. Many of these programs are used within Parkland School Division.
Kristy earned her Bachelor of Education Degree at the University of Alberta (1999) with a focus on Early Childhood Education. She brings her years of experience into the preschool setting to offer children the skills and confidence helpful for entering Kindergarten. Kristy opened the Preschool in 2011.
In May of 2020 Michelle Wood will become the new owner of Kristy's Little Learners Playschool. Please read the following information to understand this transition. As some of you may know, this time last year (Oct. 2018) I spent a few days in the hospital and was diagnosed with an Autoimmune Kidney disease. Although I am now feeling quite well, I am not in remission and continue to receive treatment in the hopes that after one more year I will be in remission. This diagnosis coupled with owning your own business and being the sole employee can make things challenging. My fear is that I could end up very sick again, like I was last year with no option to take time off work to get better. Last year when I became ill my Doctor wanted me to take time off work but that was not something I felt I could do as I had so many children and families counting on me to provide a year of playschool.
My lease is up for renewal in August of 2020 and I have made the difficult decision not to renew my lease and become locked in for another 3 years. This decision has been very difficult as I love teaching and it has been my passion for 20 years, 9 of those years teaching playschool. I just cannot risk having a relapse with my health and being locked into a lease or letting down 60 families if I have to take time off.
Now, sometimes with difficult decisions, the unexpected happens. In the Spring of 2019 I had a call from a woman who’s son I taught several years ago. She had a friend who was actively looking for a retail space to open up a Playschool in Spruce Grove. This person just wanted to pick my brain on how I opened the playschool and what route I took when navigating all the challenges of opening a business. To make a long story short, I said I think I can do better than talking to your friend, I will be selling the playschool as a whole or selling off all of my resources. To make a long story short, we met and instantly clicked. I just knew she was the right person to buy the Playschool. A business I have put my heart and soul, blood, sweat & tears into could not just be sold off to someone I didn’t feel a connection to or that I felt had such a different vision that the playschool would drastically change right from the start. I felt very strongly this person should have a teaching degree, have experience teaching in an elementary school and understand the needs of early childhood development. This person is Michelle Wood and I am delighted to introduce you to her!
Michelle is so eager and excited to own this playschool and would love to get to know the kids (especially the 3 year olds), parents, routines and methods I have used over the years so she will volunteer throughout the year. Because Michelle is buying the entire playschool as a company, she will honour all previous families ability to register earlier than the general public in January with first priority to the current 3 year old class. Michelle and I have other details to iron out but overall this is a really positive outcome. I am thrilled the playschool will continue with more children attending each year. Closing it completely was never what I wanted but if Michelle hadn’t come into my life there is a good chance it would have.
I will miss teaching my current 3 year old children next year and siblings of former students but I know this is the best decision for my health. Spruce Grove is a small community and I know I will continue to see former families from time to time in the community! I am not retiring, only moving on to the next chapter (I don’t know where yet) where I will have some flexibility for time off if I ever should need it again. As for this year, nothing will change! We will have an awesome year together and your child will continue to play, learn and grow with their friends & with me as their Teacher!
When it is time for next year’s registration in January, Michelle and I will host a “meet and greet” together and will also hold registration together. We both want the transition to go smoothly & I will help Michelle along the way if she needs me! It has been such an honour to teach so many amazing kids over the years. I’m happy I will be able to see the business thrive in the community under Michelle’s leadership!
Sincerely, Kristy
Here is an introduction to Michelle:
Hello, I would like to introduce myself as the future teacher and owner of Kristy’s Little Learner’s Playschool. My name is Michelle Wood, and am going to share how I came to this exciting point in my life.
I graduated in 2007 with my Bachelor of Education and was ready to hit the teaching world running. I started on the sub list in Sherwood Park, while also working for the YMCA childcare programs in Edmonton. I then landed my first teaching job in Calgary, teaching grade 3. I taught there for 2 years, then life took my husband and I to Manitoba, where I taught grade 3 again on the Peguis First Nations Reserve for 2 more years until I had my first daughter. One more move, and we ended up back in Spruce Grove, with 2 more children, where I found myself running my accredited and licensed dayhome. I have been running that for the past 6 years.
The idea of running my own playschool had always been a dream of mine, but it wasn’t until my youngest child was about to reach school age that I decided to make it a reality. As Kristy explained, I was actively looking for a space to lease, when a mutual friend put us in contact. I was so happy because we share such a similar vision of what a playschool should be, and she is also willing to mentor me and share all her wisdom and knowledge from her years of experience.
Here are some of my core beliefs and philosophies when it comes to teaching, education, playing, and your little ones:
Sincerely,
Michelle Wood
The Playschool Program Offers:
An emphasis on Literacy and Numeracy skills taught through engaging activities and play. The program, "Jolly Phonics" is used as a teaching tool to teach the letters and sounds of the alphabet. The Jolly Phonics Program uses engaging stories, songs and actions for each individual letter. Kristy also provides printing experience for each individual letter for the 4 year old children. Children are proud to learn how to print their own names as well as learn letters that are not in their own name.
Children also gain a practical understanding of social skills that can only be taught through experience with peers. Children "learn through play," embrace their creativity during daily crafts and develop fine motor skills such as; using scissors, glue, printing, and following directions.
Opportunities for growth in independence skills which will prepare children for elementary school; unpacking and packing backpack, handling own lunch kit and belongings, taking off coat, shoes and putting them back on, etc. These are all practical experiences that will help your child feel confident when they go to Kindergarten and will need to do these tasks as independently as possible. Students are extremely proud to complete these tasks independently!
Preschool is an important year of growth; socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually for children. Kristy is excited to guide your child through many experiences that are unique to preschool aged children!
Nut-Free Environment
The preschool is owned and operated by an experienced former Kindergarten Teacher, Kristy Guidinger. Kristy has taught Kindergarten in the Public School System for 10 years where she had formal training in; "Animated Literacy", "Power of 10", "6 Traits of Writing", "CARE Kit", "Critical Thinking" and planning that targets student engagement (UbD) and many more Professional Development opportunities that were specific to Early Childhood Education. Many of these programs are used within Parkland School Division.
Kristy earned her Bachelor of Education Degree at the University of Alberta (1999) with a focus on Early Childhood Education. She brings her years of experience into the preschool setting to offer children the skills and confidence helpful for entering Kindergarten. Kristy opened the Preschool in 2011.
In May of 2020 Michelle Wood will become the new owner of Kristy's Little Learners Playschool. Please read the following information to understand this transition. As some of you may know, this time last year (Oct. 2018) I spent a few days in the hospital and was diagnosed with an Autoimmune Kidney disease. Although I am now feeling quite well, I am not in remission and continue to receive treatment in the hopes that after one more year I will be in remission. This diagnosis coupled with owning your own business and being the sole employee can make things challenging. My fear is that I could end up very sick again, like I was last year with no option to take time off work to get better. Last year when I became ill my Doctor wanted me to take time off work but that was not something I felt I could do as I had so many children and families counting on me to provide a year of playschool.
My lease is up for renewal in August of 2020 and I have made the difficult decision not to renew my lease and become locked in for another 3 years. This decision has been very difficult as I love teaching and it has been my passion for 20 years, 9 of those years teaching playschool. I just cannot risk having a relapse with my health and being locked into a lease or letting down 60 families if I have to take time off.
Now, sometimes with difficult decisions, the unexpected happens. In the Spring of 2019 I had a call from a woman who’s son I taught several years ago. She had a friend who was actively looking for a retail space to open up a Playschool in Spruce Grove. This person just wanted to pick my brain on how I opened the playschool and what route I took when navigating all the challenges of opening a business. To make a long story short, I said I think I can do better than talking to your friend, I will be selling the playschool as a whole or selling off all of my resources. To make a long story short, we met and instantly clicked. I just knew she was the right person to buy the Playschool. A business I have put my heart and soul, blood, sweat & tears into could not just be sold off to someone I didn’t feel a connection to or that I felt had such a different vision that the playschool would drastically change right from the start. I felt very strongly this person should have a teaching degree, have experience teaching in an elementary school and understand the needs of early childhood development. This person is Michelle Wood and I am delighted to introduce you to her!
Michelle is so eager and excited to own this playschool and would love to get to know the kids (especially the 3 year olds), parents, routines and methods I have used over the years so she will volunteer throughout the year. Because Michelle is buying the entire playschool as a company, she will honour all previous families ability to register earlier than the general public in January with first priority to the current 3 year old class. Michelle and I have other details to iron out but overall this is a really positive outcome. I am thrilled the playschool will continue with more children attending each year. Closing it completely was never what I wanted but if Michelle hadn’t come into my life there is a good chance it would have.
I will miss teaching my current 3 year old children next year and siblings of former students but I know this is the best decision for my health. Spruce Grove is a small community and I know I will continue to see former families from time to time in the community! I am not retiring, only moving on to the next chapter (I don’t know where yet) where I will have some flexibility for time off if I ever should need it again. As for this year, nothing will change! We will have an awesome year together and your child will continue to play, learn and grow with their friends & with me as their Teacher!
When it is time for next year’s registration in January, Michelle and I will host a “meet and greet” together and will also hold registration together. We both want the transition to go smoothly & I will help Michelle along the way if she needs me! It has been such an honour to teach so many amazing kids over the years. I’m happy I will be able to see the business thrive in the community under Michelle’s leadership!
Sincerely, Kristy
Here is an introduction to Michelle:
Hello, I would like to introduce myself as the future teacher and owner of Kristy’s Little Learner’s Playschool. My name is Michelle Wood, and am going to share how I came to this exciting point in my life.
I graduated in 2007 with my Bachelor of Education and was ready to hit the teaching world running. I started on the sub list in Sherwood Park, while also working for the YMCA childcare programs in Edmonton. I then landed my first teaching job in Calgary, teaching grade 3. I taught there for 2 years, then life took my husband and I to Manitoba, where I taught grade 3 again on the Peguis First Nations Reserve for 2 more years until I had my first daughter. One more move, and we ended up back in Spruce Grove, with 2 more children, where I found myself running my accredited and licensed dayhome. I have been running that for the past 6 years.
The idea of running my own playschool had always been a dream of mine, but it wasn’t until my youngest child was about to reach school age that I decided to make it a reality. As Kristy explained, I was actively looking for a space to lease, when a mutual friend put us in contact. I was so happy because we share such a similar vision of what a playschool should be, and she is also willing to mentor me and share all her wisdom and knowledge from her years of experience.
Here are some of my core beliefs and philosophies when it comes to teaching, education, playing, and your little ones:
- Your child has the right to a safe, nurturing learning experience
- Each child is unique with regards to their strengths and weaknesses, I hope to highlight their strengths and support their weaknesses.
- I will provide educational experiences that will help your child develop their early literacy and numeracy knowledge.
- I will provide opportunities for your child to increase their independence that will prepare them for the demands of a kindergarten classroom.
- I will provide an environment that fosters your child’s social, emotional, physical and intellectual wellbeing.
- Children learn through play, play, play! I will provide open ended, as well as more directed activities to help your child learn through play and explore their imagination and the world around them.
Sincerely,
Michelle Wood
The Playschool Program Offers:
An emphasis on Literacy and Numeracy skills taught through engaging activities and play. The program, "Jolly Phonics" is used as a teaching tool to teach the letters and sounds of the alphabet. The Jolly Phonics Program uses engaging stories, songs and actions for each individual letter. Kristy also provides printing experience for each individual letter for the 4 year old children. Children are proud to learn how to print their own names as well as learn letters that are not in their own name.
Children also gain a practical understanding of social skills that can only be taught through experience with peers. Children "learn through play," embrace their creativity during daily crafts and develop fine motor skills such as; using scissors, glue, printing, and following directions.
Opportunities for growth in independence skills which will prepare children for elementary school; unpacking and packing backpack, handling own lunch kit and belongings, taking off coat, shoes and putting them back on, etc. These are all practical experiences that will help your child feel confident when they go to Kindergarten and will need to do these tasks as independently as possible. Students are extremely proud to complete these tasks independently!
Preschool is an important year of growth; socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually for children. Kristy is excited to guide your child through many experiences that are unique to preschool aged children!
Nut-Free Environment