Pre-K Plus (4 to 5 years)
The academic success of children in later years depends heavily upon their kindergarten readiness. The JLU Pre-K Plus program not only readies children for kindergarten but also gives them the best possible start to life through our social-emotional framework.
Pre-K classrooms have a maximum of 16 children in the room, with a teacher to student ratio of 1:8.
JLU Child Care families are investing in their children’s early childhood experience. Research shows this is an investment that will yield great academic results. Our students benefit from extended classroom learning time, structured classrooms, loving teachers and planned assessments meeting NYS Pre-K standards.
Children have quiet time daily and may sleep or rest quietly on individual mats. Parents are responsible for providing the following items for Pre-K children in care: extra set of clothing, fitted crib sheet & blanket for rest time
Children can attend our full-day Pre-K Plus program but also have an option to attend a shortened day program from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. only at a discounted rate.
Pre-K Plus Teachers
Pre-K A, Spencerport
Mrs. Darleen Croucher
Joined JLU: January 2011
Degree: Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Sociology from Roberts Wesleyan College
Experience prior to JLU: over 25 years of experience teaching in child care centers, elementary schools and acted as director and assistant director at her previous
center
Personal life: married, attends Christ Reformed Church.
Pre-K A, Spencerport
Mrs. Veronica Dodge
Joined JLU: October 2024
Degree: Master’s in education from SUNY Geneseo; NYS permanent teaching certification Nursery – grade 6, Reading and Special Education
Experience prior to JLU: 20 years of teaching experience including at Head Start, Rainbow Preschool, the NYS School for the Blind as well as the Pavilion, Geneseo and York central school districts
Personal life: loves spending time with her husband and 6 dogs; enjoys fostering pets, playing piano and spending time with family and friends
Pre-K B, Spencerport
Mrs. Rejoice Smith
Joined JLU: June 2025
Degree: Bachelor’s degree in education with a concentration in English from the University of St. LaSalle in the Philippines
Experience prior to JLU: seven years of teaching experience including working with elementary and high school students
Personal life: enjoys cooking, karaoke, camping and being in nature
Pre-K B, Spencerport
Mrs. Jamie Wallenbeck
Joined JLU: August 2022
Degree: college credits in Humanities and Social Sciences from Corning Community College; currently pursing a Child Development Associate's degree
Experience prior to JLU: two years of experience at Pathways, Inc working both with children and adults with disabilities; volunteered for two years at the Steuben County
library
Personal life: married and enjoys spending time with her family
Pre-K B, Spencerport
Miss Emma Jenzer
Joined JLU: March 2025
Degree: senior at Spencerport High School
Experience prior to JLU: customer service at McDonald’s, volunteer experience in her church children’s ministries
Personal life: enjoys running and horseback riding
PS/PK/SA, Spencerport
Miss D'Mari Rainey
Joined JLU: May 2024
Degree: pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in English Education from Roberts Wesleyan University
Experience prior to JLU: one year teaching internship; three years of customer service experience in the food industry; volunteer with her church Sunday school and VBS
Personal life: enjoys attending school prayer nights
Spencerport Substitute
Miss Rebekah Hanten
Joined JLU: August 2025
Degree: High School Diploma
Experience prior to JLU: five years of childcare experience
Personal life: loves being outdoors, enjoys fishing, camping, and snowboarding
Pre-K, Brockport
Mrs. Dale Spencer
Joined JLU: January 2018
Degree: MA Theology & Transformational Leadership from Roberts Wesleyan Northeastern Seminary; AS in Business Administration; AS in Early Childhood & Adolescent Education
Experience prior to JLU: two years of experience as Director of Children’s Ministry at Ogden Baptist Church including teaching Sunday school, children’s Bible Study, Kid’s Cooking Camp & VBS
Personal life: married, enjoys spending time reading, camping, cooking, analyzing television shows and movies, and spending time with her two tabby cats and husky-shepherd puppy
Pre-K, Brockport
Mrs. April Caparas
Joined JLU: September 2025
Degree: High school diploma
Experience prior to JLU: over three years of childcare experience at the YMCA; volunteer experience working with children in Sunday school and Vacation Bible School
Personal life: enjoys swimming, reading, Bible study and being a mom
Pre-K, Brockport
Miss Hannah Thousand
Joined JLU: July 2025
Degree: High School diploma
Experience prior to JLU: two years of customer service experience; volunteer experience at Hope Church Kid’s Ministry for three years
Personal life: loves going to the beach, playing video games and being an active member of her church
PS/PK/SA, Brockport
Miss Jazleen Fraticelli
Joined JLU: June 2025
Degree: currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Childhood Inclusive Education at SUNY Brockport
Experience prior to JLU: recent field placement in first & second grade; one year of retail experience
Personal life: enjoys going on walks, to the gym, reading, shopping and hanging out with family & friends
PS/PK/SA, Brockport
Miss Annabella Pettine
Joined JLU: June 2024
Degree: pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences from SUNY Fredonia
Experience prior to JLU: experience working with children through dance classes, theater and Vacation Bible School
Personal life: enjoys singing, dancing, musical theater and anything related to science
The mission of JLU Child Care is to provide quality, Christian education to infants, toddlers, preschool, pre-k and school age children. JLU is a full-day program, open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and is licensed by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services.
Spencerport Location
Phone: 585-352-0017
Fax: 585-352-6744
Brockport Location
Phone: 585-391-3111
Fax: 585-391-3123
leslie@jluchildcare.com
Providing quality,
Christian based
early childhood education since 2010
Visitors:
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