Whether to send your children to day care, playschool or preschool is a question on many Cochrane parents’ minds, and it’s natural to be curious about which option is best for one’s child.
For Tara Schimpf, the dream of opening a home-based preschool in Cochrane was an obvious one.
Taking her children into Calgary to attend a home-based preschool and seeing first hand the positive relationships they developed while there, Schimpf knew the service she would bring to the community she calls home by opening Naturally Curious Preschool in the neighbourhood of Riversong would be invaluable.
“I am passionate about working closely with young children and their families,” said Schimpf, who is a licensed kindergarten teacher, presently on maternity leave from the Calgary-based school she works. “I feel honoured to provide children with positive early-learning experiences and to help them begin their journey in becoming lifelong learners.”
Schimpf said there is no one-size-fits-all for children when it comes to what kind of environment is best suited for their individual needs, whether that be a small home-based preschool, larger preschool, playschool or day care.
One hurdle Schimpf has seen with her new endeavour is providing parents an understanding of what a preschool is and how it can benefit the children who attend.
“Preschool is encompasses the development of the whole child,” said Schimpf. “Exposure to classroom routines, appropriate social interactions, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, early literacy and early numeracy prepare children in every possible way for the future.”
From her experience as a classroom teacher, Schimpf believes children who attend preschool are better prepared for kindergarten, demonstrating increased confidence, independence and a general understanding of school routines.
Ultimately, the choice to open the preschool was to bring something unique to Cochrane.
“I think the more variety we have in our local choices the better it is for everyone living here,” she said. “Having a home-based preschool in Cochrane provides a fresh perspective and a new opportunity for families who may be seeking a smaller, more intimate preschool setting for their child.”
Naturally Curious Preschool can hold a maximum of six children ages three and four per class, running two classes — one in the morning and the other in the afternoon — on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
For more information call Schimpf at 403-585-5042 or email [email protected].
