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 Tea Mastrodonato

Joined JLU: March 2022
Degree: High School diploma
Experience prior to JLU: three years of babysitting experience
Personal life: enjoys dancing and spending time with friends

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

Miss Dale Shonk

Joined JLU: January 2018

Degree: Associate's in Business Administration; Associate's in Liberal Arts with focus in Adolescent Education; enrolled in master's program in Theology and Social Work at Roberts Wesleyan

Experience prior to JLU: Two years of experience as Director of Children's Ministry at Ogden Baptist Church where she also teaches Sunday school, leads Children's Bible study, directs a Kid's Cooking Camp and heads the preschool VBS program; five years of professional experience at Target

Personal life: enjoys spending time reading, analyzing television shows and movies, and spending time with loved ones and her kitty

Ms. Kate Schied-Deckert

Joined JLU: May 2021

Degree: Master’s degree in Creative Arts Therapy from Nazareth College; Bachelor’s of Fine Arts from Alfred University
Experience prior to JLU: over 10 years of combined childcare experience at the YMCA and Pea Pods Child Care; over 10 years of providing in-home respite care through DePaul Developmental Services, People, Inc. and Happiness House
Personal life: married, enjoys spending time with her family, decorating her home and spending time outside in nature

Miss Shelby Price

Joined JLU: February 2021
Degree: High School diploma
Experience prior to JLU: two years of experience at Lifetime Assistance; six years of managerial experience in retail settings; ten years of childcare experience running an in-home center
Personal life: engaged, mother of one, plays soccer, loves camping, snowmobiling and four-wheeling

Mrs. Jamie Wallenbeck

Joined JLU: August 2022
Degree: college credits in Humanities and Social Sciences from Corning Community College
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: newly married and enjoys spending time with her family