Kate Brown, who teaches Early Childhood Education (ECE) at McGlone Elementary, knows that strong early learning experiences build a foundation for success throughout elementary school.
When our kids are able to go into kindergarten reading and writing, they are able to take on a leadership position and further their independence, Kate said. They are able to soar.
But until recently, limited space at McGlone meant that those early-learning opportunities were also limited. As the neighborhoods surrounding the school continued to grow, classroom space became scarce. Full-day ECE classes were cut back, so some neighborhood kids were starting kindergarten without the preparation that preschool provides. The impact on student learning was noticeable.
Fortunately, Denver voters approved bond and mill funding in 2012 to restore full-day preschool opportunities at McGlone. The McGlone Early Learning Center, which opened in 2013, is home to eight classrooms–four full-day 4-year-old preschool, and 4 full-day kindergarten–in a cottage designed specifically for the youngest learners.
The goal of this building was to make a really fun, safe environment where the little kids could learn to love school, have fun in school and be set up for success in higher grades, Kate said.
The goal of this building was to make a really fun, safe environment where the little kids could learn to love school, have fun in school and be set up for success in higher grades, Kate said.
The Lego-themed cottage was built to delight, with curved hallways, child-height faucets and pint-sized playground equipment. But when Kate looks around at her newly expanded and engaging space, she sees just one thing:
Opportunity.