How First Discoveries Came To Be-

When my own daughter came into my life I realized I wanted more than just the traditional institutionalized daycare experience for her. I wanted more. I wanted her to experience all of what life had to offer-not just life in a classroom. I wanted her to have care-free days of swimming in the pool in the yard, running barefoot through the grass, catching worms on rainy days and picnics at the park. I wanted to give her a peaceful natural environment to grow and learn. I wanted her to be an individual, an independent thinker, a creative, imaginative child. I didn't want her to be just another child in a big group of preschoolers, lost in the crowd. I wanted her to enjoy her life every single minute of it! After all, childhood is sacred-we only get to experience it once! In my search for the perfect environment for my little girl I came across Waldorf and Montessori educational philosophies and environments. I fell in love with the Waldorf theories and decided to take the best of both Montessori and waldorf and create our own little preschool program with them. I am currently in the process of receiving my Montessori preschool and kindergarten teaching certificate and read parenting and preschool educational books every second I have the chance! I love my job, I love learning, and I love teaching. I love seeing the magic of the world through a child's eyes. I love spending my days playing, discovering, hugging and loving children. I wouldn't want to do anything else with my life.

                         


Location-
First Discoveries is located 1 block away from St. Mary's hospital and across the street from Folwell School. We are within walking distance to downtown and one block away from the public city bus route.
 
School Hours-
First Discoveries is open from 7:30am-5:30pm Monday through Friday all year round. Children who attend kindergarten part days are welcome before and after school.

Enrolling-
We are currently enrolling children ages 3-6 years old for the 2008-2009 school year. Children must be fully potty trained to participate.

About the Teacher-

My name is Heather and children have always been my passion. For as long as I can remember my dream has been to run a daycare/preschool out of my home. I have been working with children of many different age groups, in various settings for more than 10 years.

Before I was a home owner I was an assistant preschool teacher at a well known childcare center in Rochester.  I taught children ages 3.5 - 9 years old. I helped to plan and organize the classroom activities and curriculum. Working there was a wonderful learning experience. The people I met were amazing and I have incorporated a lot of what they taught me into my own preschool setting.

I also spent 3 ½ years working at the Rochester Athletic Club in the Jr. Gym. There I planned and supervised activities for children between the ages of 7-12 years old. Now, 10 years later, I still have close contact with some of the children who I took care of long ago at the Jr. Gym. I attended Rochester Community and Technical College, and The University of Minnesota Duluth and have taken many classes pertaining to Child Development.  I continue to have ongoing training each year on different Child Development topics.