About our name:
Here's the story behind the name "Lucky Ducks Preschool":
One of my favorite parts of motherhood is when my young children would come home and excitedly tell me about their day at preschool. I loved seeing their eyes light up as they told me about their adventures and joyful moments. As I listened to their stories, I would often say, "Wow! I can't believe you got to do that! You are such a lucky duck!" To which my kids would reply, "Mom! I'm not a duck, I'm a kid!" It sounds silly, and it's just a little thing, but it's one of the things that really makes me smile!
This is the kind of experience I strive to provide for your children! I want them to feel excited about what they're learning, and feel happy and lucky to be able to come and spend time with friends and teachers at preschool each day. I want them to come home and enthusiastically share the details of their day. I also want parents to feel lucky that their children are in such a wonderful environment!
The following are some of the ways we go about providing these types of experiences for your children! Please see our blog for additional examples of the activities we enjoy together!
-- Ranell Williamson, owner and lead instructor
One of my favorite parts of motherhood is when my young children would come home and excitedly tell me about their day at preschool. I loved seeing their eyes light up as they told me about their adventures and joyful moments. As I listened to their stories, I would often say, "Wow! I can't believe you got to do that! You are such a lucky duck!" To which my kids would reply, "Mom! I'm not a duck, I'm a kid!" It sounds silly, and it's just a little thing, but it's one of the things that really makes me smile!
This is the kind of experience I strive to provide for your children! I want them to feel excited about what they're learning, and feel happy and lucky to be able to come and spend time with friends and teachers at preschool each day. I want them to come home and enthusiastically share the details of their day. I also want parents to feel lucky that their children are in such a wonderful environment!
The following are some of the ways we go about providing these types of experiences for your children! Please see our blog for additional examples of the activities we enjoy together!
-- Ranell Williamson, owner and lead instructor
About our daily routine:
We have a large bulletin board which changes based on the themes for the month. We meet here together to start our day with 'carpet time'. We discuss the themes of the day, review our shape/color/numbers for the month, recite the Pledge of Allegiance and sing songs related to our themes. Each child has a 'helper' job and they take turns putting the pieces up on the board each day. It's a great way to learn and review Daily Basics together.
Preschool age children are in constant motion and need opportunities to move and wiggle throughout day. Within each theme, we offer numerous gross motor activities and learning centers so they can explore the world around them in a safe, learning-based environment. We also have several segments of music & movement each day; they don't even realize they are learning something because they're having so much fun!
We love to spend time outside! The preschool room opens out onto an amazing outdoor space: a large yard with multiple play structures, as well as an enclosed where we can bounce balls, move around, and do messier crafts and experiments. We spend time outside daily! Children may choose to play outside for free play time, and we also go outside for games and activities throughout the year.
Studies show that reading aloud is an effective and necessary tool for early childhood learning! We read a minimum of 1-2 theme-related books each day, usually as we eat our snack (we have found that the children have an easier time sitting still and listening if their mouths are full!) In addition, we have bookshelves at the children's eye level which are easily accessible, and always packed with theme-related books. The children are given opportunities for quiet reading each day.
About our procedures:
Ranell Williamson, Lucky Ducks Preschool owner and lead instructor, has vast experience helping children navigate through the fun and challenges of childhood. She is a mother to 4 children, ages 18, 15, 11, and 8. On top of her motherhood experience, she has worked in childcare for 20 years, including being a live-in nanny, doing in-home childcare, working in the childcare room at the YMCA, and participating in numerous co-op preschools for her own children. In addition, she has spent many hours volunteering at church and school events.
Ranell has studied numerous techniques for helping children safely navigate through the preschool years. She has taken the "Love & Logic" course twice and regularly reviews those techniques and uses them within her own family. Ranell is able to set firm but loving boundaries for the children in her care. Two of her favorite resources for guidance are:
Ranell has studied numerous techniques for helping children safely navigate through the preschool years. She has taken the "Love & Logic" course twice and regularly reviews those techniques and uses them within her own family. Ranell is able to set firm but loving boundaries for the children in her care. Two of her favorite resources for guidance are:
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