Future of Easton Preschool Uncertain

For close to 20 years, has been a fixture of the Easton preschool community, preparing kids for kindergarten while affirming the family and honoring God.

"We're a Christian preschool, but we have kids enrolled from all denominations," said Andrea Stetson, the school's director. "This is a place where God is honored, and we're very intentional with preparing kids for kindergarten. Teaching is done in a very playful way—kids are receiving pre-kindergarten lessons in a fashion that appears to be play." 

But Linda Gustavson, who serves on the school's Board of Directors, said the future of the school might be uncertain as there are currently only two kids enrolled there for the 2012-2013 school year. She said many people don't know about the school, which is located right off the Merrit Parkway at 1 Sport Hill Road in Easton.

"Nobody seems to know about this little gem," Gustavson said. "Some people have described it as magic."

The school has an enrollment capacity of 24 students, Gustavson said, and this year there are nine students enrolled. With two teachers serving those kids, the school prides itself on a great student-to-teacher ratio. 

"There’s a personal relationship between the teachers and the students which is tremendously warm and caring," she said. "Our facilities are bright and cheery and new." 

Stetson, who teaches alongside Donna Kendall, said the two have a very good rapport with families.

"We’ve had many, many, many repeat families with their second and third child, families who’ve maybe had a baby later on in life and come back," she said. "We're not a religious school, but [the kids] do hear about God. We believe that God loves them and the world was created by Him. When we talk about the seasons, we identify that God is a part of that. At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus." 

Stetson said the school currently offers a program for three-year-olds and a program for four-year-olds, but could offer a program to two-year-olds if there's a demand.

"I'm of the mind if we were able to have a class of two-year-old kids, we could do it, we would be able to do it," she said. "I have a facility that could provide a two-year-old program." 

Tuition fees for the 2012-2013 year are as follows:

• 3's, Monday-Wednesday-Friday, 9:15-12:15, $2,950.  
• 4's, Monday through Thursday, 9:15-1:15, $3,875.

"In these tough economic times we work to keep our tuition reasonably priced," Stetson said. 

For further infromation or to enroll, visit the school's website or call 203.374.3049.