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

Miss Sylvia Leary

Joined JLU: September 2023

Degree: BS in Biology from Roberts Wesleyan College; NYS Certified Emergency Medical Technician

Experience prior to JLU: one year of EMT experience with Mohawk Ambulance Service; summer camp counselor, church youth group leader

Personal life: enjoys reading, cooking, baking and the outdoors

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

Miss Megan Zwerka

Joined JLU: June 2023

Degree:  currently attends Byron-Bergen HS

Experience prior to JLU: volunteer experience working with children in her church with Sunday school, nursery and Vacation Bible School

Personal life: enjoys drawing and painting; plays varsity girls’ soccer

Miss Cathy Medley

Joined JLU: August 2023

Degree:  High School diploma

Experience prior to JLU: one year of experience as a security officer; four years of customer service experience including recently at the Seneca Park Zoo

Personal life: enjoys spending time with her daughter

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