Building a Preschool: Removing Barriers to Opportunity

Education is the  “great equalizer” opening doors of opportunity for children to excel. The early deposits we pour into young children develop greater outcomes for later school success. The reality is that not all children have access to high-quality education and the disparities in marginalized communities are greater than any other demographic.  The most vulnerable population of children experience mediocre programs that fall short to prepare children for kindergarten and beyond. Parents often express their challenges with identifying  a blue ribbon preschool. The lack of enrollment into an early childhood program can impact the trajectory of a child’s future accomplishments in school.

Discovery Lane preschool was opened with the intent to close the achievement gap and disrupt the preschool to prison pipeline. We embarked on this journey to provide inclusivity and allow children to have a voice in their learning experience. Too often in communities early childhood programs are low in quality and lack developmental appropriateness. Our program is Reggio Emilia inspired curating a cooperative early childhood education. It is a progressive approach to early childhood education, set a part from traditional pedagogies where curriculum is entirely teacher directed. With great care and honor for children, my mother and I started the initial planning process to open a preschool in 2014. This included naming our business, my mother insisted our last name be incorporated in some way. Admittedly, I thought that was so cheesy. Now, I am remised yet cheerly telling you all, listen to your loved ones. We opened our doors in March 2016 and welcomed our first students in June 2016.

As I retell the experience, I am still amazed me that we actually opened a preschool. Self-doubt creeps in when you are vulnerably committing to walk a journey not traveled. I recall asking myself and my close network, “do you think families will enroll their children?” A dream feels viable when others give it the same adoration as you. Would the community give this little school veneration?

The school we desired for young children did not exist, and so we built it. That is not to say this was a cinch. It was no easy process to open a school and we were met with many challenges with completing the renovations for the space, building enrollment, and explaining a progressive pedagogical approach to learning, for families we were serving. There were many times I worried that we were in over our heads. It is very discouraging when a vision feels delayed with manifesting. We live in an instant gratification world, where success is measured by the populace we assemble. When the first child enrolled it relieved anxiety and reaffirmed our passion was purposeful. We are gracious for families championing our existence and believing in our vision and passionate educators who care so much for the young learners they teach.

While our school has steadily amassed a waiting list parents contiue to express how so few preschools approach learning holistically, educating the whole child. It is not enough to provide a service but figure out how to respond a problem. We enacted a food program that provides children with organic and healthy meal options. It was important that we affirmed a strong stance with responding to inherent challenges that impact success in school. In supplement to our curriculum we have partnered with specialist to offer culinary arts, gross motor, art classes, horticulture, and soccer. We frequently host events at the school that are open to the public including our annual children’s book fair where over 180 families attend. It continues to be our mission to extend our program to as many families as possible and abolish barriers that may bar this access.

To our community of parents, guardians, educators, influencers; I implore you to be fiercely diligent in your quest to find and build early childhood programs that will prepare our children for life. You are the first teachers, supporters, and shelter. The sanctity we provide our children should extend into the learning spaces where their minds will cultivate.