Many years ago, experienced Sapulpa Public Schools’ teacher Letizia Ridgeway moved to Bristow. Now, she announces the opening of her new preschool at 920 South Roland Street in January. The preschool will host an open house today, tomorrow, and Saturday.
Mrs. Ridgeway reflected on her love and enjoyment of witnessing young children learn from each other and their environ with wonder-filled eyes and a consistent eagerness to learn and do more as her inspiration to become a teacher. To that end, she secured her bachelor’s degree in education and her teaching license in early childhood development and education. After ten years of teaching pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and second grade classes in Sapulpa, she will be realizing one of her dreams by opening her own preschool in Bristow.
“Amazing Beginnings” will first open its doors for instruction the first week of January for children ages two through four. Mrs. Ridgeway stated that the learning center will participate in the Stars program, which sets standards for evolving and improving instruction beyond minimum licensure requirements. The center will be certified through DHS for an initial total of forty students with the possibility of future expansion.
As for the center’s location, the building previously hosted a dispensary; however, Mrs. Ridgeway noted that the building has undergone a complete renovation since August. Now, the building offers classrooms, bathrooms, office space, and a kitchen as well as a unique playground with an oval tricycle racing track, sandy play area within the track, and a grassy area around the track’s exterior lanes.
Each classroom will offer both teacher and child led center- based opportunities with a focus on nature and explorative learning blended with traditional learning materials. Mrs. Ridgeway said lessons will be flexible and presented in varied ways, offering unique opportunities for kids of any learning style. Additionally, she indicated that kids at any level of aptitude will be challenged, learning academic as well as emotional and social skills, stating “We will maintain high standards for lessons taught to provide a quality learning experience for local children with regular family involvement. We want to reduce their frustration while encouraging exploration to help them learn now and throughout their educational years.”
The center will operate yearround from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. each week from Monday through Friday, closing for federal holidays. While students need to be present when the center opens, they may leave early, depending on each family’s needs. Mrs. Ridgeway noted that the school will also provide nutritious morning and afternoon snacks as well as lunch each day. Pricing is yet to be determined, but Mrs. Ridgeway stated the pricing will be comparative to similar learning centers in the area with an effort to be affordable for local families.
Mrs. Ridgeway additionally wished to thank the many local area businesses who worked to renovate the building, offering special thanks to JC Mechanical for HVAC installment, RCS Electrical, Thurman Plumbing, Hickman Plumbing, Moss Concrete Construction, John Lyons for drywall work, Jeff Cargill for carpet installation, S2 Solutions, and David Ridgeway and Don Bowman of D&D Construction.
Amazing Beginnings’ open house event will occur Thursday, December 8, and Friday, Dec. 9, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 10, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Enrollment forms will be available as well. For more information, please call (918) 807-5006 or attend an open house event.