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.
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.
Miss Kaitlyn Guyett
Joined JLU: September 2022
Degree: High School diploma; college credits in Human Services and Early Childhood Education
Experience prior to JLU: one year of professional childcare experience; volunteer experience leading children’s ministry and nursery at St. Paul Lutheran Church & School
Personal life: loves being outdoors, spending time with family & friends, singing, and is an animal lover
Mrs. Staci Cruz
Joined JLU: May 2024
Degree: pursuing a degree in Health Sciences from Arizona State University; Associates in Liberal Arts from Niagara Country Community College
Experience prior to JLU: experience as an HR Assistant at for a year; managed a life skills program at Elderwood of Wheatfield for three years
Personal life: enjoys reading and line dancing
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
Mrs. Sarah Ippolito
Joined JLU: December 2012
Degrees: Bachelor’s degree in Psychology for Children and Youth from Houghton College, Child Development Associates in Preschool & Pre-K
Experience prior to JLU: worked as a counselor at Delta Lake Bible Conference Youth Camps
Personal life: mother of one, enjoys cooking and being outdoors
Mrs. Nancy Getbehead
Joined JLU: September 2010
Degree: Master's in Education, Bachelor's in Elementary Education
Experience prior to JLU: 11 years of classroom experience teaching in preschool, first and second grades
Personal life: mother of two, enjoys knitting, reading and sewing bibs for JLU infants, member of St. Paul Lutheran Church
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
Miss D'Mari Rainey
Joined JLU: May 2024
Degrees: 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
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