The ExCel preschool in Saratoga has seen an increase in class sizes. In order to accomodate children, class frequency per student has been reduced to two days a week instead of four, according to Jaime Stine, executive director for Developmental Preschool and Daycare out of Laramie. Currently, this is the parent group for Saratoga’s preschool.
The effort to bring a licensed daycare to Saratoga has brought several issues to the table about preschool services as well, since the decreased availability of classes because of large class size has made it so parents of preschool aged children need to find other ways to provide care. The next step for ExCel is a feasibility study that will bring funding to the program, Stine said.
The feasibility study would outline exactly what Saratoga needs for preschool and daycare. ExCel needs improvements, including more staff to take care of two full classes each of two - three year olds and four year olds–one in the morning, one in the afternoon. Stine also described necessary improvements to the buildings, which she describes as near the end of their lives. These problems need to be addressed as the preschool estimates an increase in kids in the coming years as well, Stine said.
According to Stine, space is an issue, with a therapy space being taken away in order to provide more room for the large classes. The facility continues to replace and repair problem areas and is in need of larger upkeep projects, including roofing and plumbing.
Right now, the preschool is in a preliminary planning phase, and the completed feasibility study will allow them to determine the next direction of the preschool, Stine said. The study will look at population and the needs of the town, which are also being looked at for daycare.
While the daycare and preschool need many of the same numbers, Stine does not think the daycare and preschool should be combined, adding that it is not common for preschools and daycares to be in one facility.
Looking forward, preschool and special education will continue. According to Stine, special education students perform best with “typically developing children,” and the preschool needs the facilities and space to care for all students needs, potentially adding SmartBoards if funding allows to add more possibilities to learning. With thoughts like this in mind, their goal is the ability to accommodate as many children as possible, and have enough space to provide services to as many children as needed.
Stine said that at this point, the daycare is working with the town and parents in order to provide the best preschool opportunity for families in Saratoga. With a joint operation like this, Stine says they will best be able to provide the best service that fits the needs of Saratoga citizens.
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