Preschool of the Arts Expands Services

Tolland parents looking for daycare or preschool services now have another local option available to them.

Tolland Preschool of the Arts' Early Beginnings, based out of the former Cuddles & Kisses building on Old Post Road, is now offering its arts-based preschool education, as well as infant, toddler and before and after-school care to Tolland children, according to owner Susan Leavitt.

"We're an educational institution that provides child care," Leavitt said. "We feel that we've gotten pretty good at providing quality preschool education, and that's what we're continuing to do here."

The expanded program, which opened at its new location at the beginning of December, brings its trademark arts-focused education to all age levels.

"I don't think there are a lot of infant spots that give them the opportunity to start with the foundation that moves on to the arts they get later on," said director Stacey Bogoslofski.

"There's been a lot of research that it's very helpful for cognitive skills later in life," Leavitt added, citing studies that link the ability to keep a musical beat with later reading development.

Leavitt said that the staff is renovating the building, which accomodates separate classrooms for infant, toddler, preschool, kindergarten and older children, as well as developmentally separated playgrounds. 

"We have a huge playground to help coordinate their motor skills and their cooperation skills," Bogoslofski said.

Leavitt said that she and husband John decided to expand the business due to the rather steady demand for child care in the area.

"It's been a different climate in the last couple of years. People just keep coming in," she said. "There is a need of child care no matter what the economy. People need to work more."" she said.

Leavitt said that the Early Beginnings center offers flexible scheduling. The center features a 4:1 child to staff ratio for children under 3 years old. The center can accomodate up to 40 children under 3 years old and 59 children for the older ages.

The growing staff of 28 will focus on each individual child, Leavitt said.

"We don't encourage cookie-cutter education."

There are centers in both Tolland and Ellington since 1987 and 1988, according to Leavitt.

Visit the center's Web site or call 860-875-4847 for more information.