Sandpoint Preschool Academy opens
(Photo courtesy GREATER SANDPOINT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE) Chamber staff and ambassadors welcome Sandpoint Preschool Academy staff at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 19. Pictured, from left, are Steve Sanchez, Connor Currie, Caitlyn Hagen, Tana Vanderholm, Amy Bieda, Ricci Witte, and Patricia Walker.
PONDERAY — The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is pleased to welcome Sandpoint Preschool Academy Inc. to their membership.
Located in the Bonner Mall, Sandpoint Preschool Academy is instantly inviting, with bright, cheery murals painted on the walls, thought-provoking play areas, and soft lighting for quiet spaces. In partnership with the Storybook Nook, LLC, the Sandpoint Preschool Academy is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, set up to offer affordable preschool to families with 4-year-olds in Bonner County. They have received a grant from The Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children, which allows them to keep their tuition costs low.
Idaho AEYC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing Idaho’s early learning profession and advocating for children and families. Sandpoint is one of 14 Idaho communities to receive the planning grant. The grants were awarded this past spring, and recipients have spent the summer developing plans to create, expand or enhance early learning opportunities through local preschool collaboratives. With the planning phase complete, the collaboratives can apply for implementation grants to put those plans into action, which Sandpoint Preschool Academy is hoping to receive.
Owner and operator of Sandpoint Preschool Academy, Tana Vanderholm has been providing early education learning opportunities for the past 20 years in both Washington and Idaho. She and her husband have eight children, most of whom are attending college, have business degrees, or are working in the early education field.
“We have a great respect for the family unit, and we understand the value to families, each individual child and our community when quality, safe and educational child learning programs are offered,” said Vanderholm.
Lead teacher Amy Bieda has a degree in elementary education and has traveled and taught children abroad and in the states. Assistant Caitlyn Hagen is pursuing a future career in early childhood education with the support of the preschool.
This Tuesday, Sept. 24, from 3-5 p.m., Sandpoint Preschool Academy will be hosting a creative sidewalk tour for kids up and down the Bonner Mall sidewalk. The creative path will begin at Yoke’s Fresh Foods and end at Storybook Nook, LLC.
“We want to encourage parents and grandparents to participate in this tour with their children and encourage them to be creative,” said Vanderholm.
Most of the activities will be geared towards children ages 3 through 6. Sandpoint Preschool Academy staff members will be on hand to answer any questions about the program and give tours of the facility.
For more information on the Preschool program and availability, call Storybook Nook at 208-265-2655 to schedule a tour for the early learning center or for more information. You can find them on Facebook at @Storybook Nook LLC Early Learning Center. To learn more about Idaho AEYC go online to preschooltheidahoway.org.