New preschool opens in Oak Park

A new preschool is opening in Oak Park.

The initial class, emphasizing fun and kindergarten readiness, is geared toward 4- and 5-year-olds. The class is open to anyone interested, not just Oak Park residents.

Classes will begin Jan. 8 at the Oak Park Community Center, and will initially run Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon with an optional lunch extension until 1 p.m. A second class, for 3- and 4-year-olds, may open in the spring.

The program is being run by Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District, which has five successful preschools in Simi Valley, according to Renee Peace, Oak Park recreation supervisor.

"This community center is such a great facility. There's so much we can do here. We're not just stuck in the classroom," Peace said.

The first class has space for 24 children. Enrollment begins in early December, as soon as the recreation brochure comes out. Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the community center at 100 Kanan Road.

Longtime educator Karen Harris has been hired as the school director and teacher. She is creating the curriculum and will bring on an assistant as well.

The room across from the community center's main building is being set up as a preschool classroom with a library, imagination station, science center, block area and dress-up corner, Harris said. The room has a selfcontained restroom.

All of the facilities at and around the community center will be open to the program, including the indoor basketball court, the full kitchen for "cooking chemistry" and the adjacent park's nature trails and playgrounds.

"There's so much positive energy in that center," Harris said. "I feel like a kid getting ready for camp. I'm so excited."

The program will prepare students socially, academically and structurally for kindergarten, according to Harris. There will be creative movement, music, acting out of stories, performances for parents, nature and science lessons among other activities. She is meeting with officials from the Oak Park and Las Virgenes school districts to learn what is expected of incoming kindergartners.

"With current California standards what's expected of kids when they go into kindergarten is not just playing with Play-Doh anymore," Peace said.

Parents are welcome to participate in a variety of ways including volunteering in the classroom or on field trips, sharing a talent, preparing snacks, reading stories or celebrating holidays.

"Parents can come as much or as little as they want," Harris said. "Being in the classroom gives parents a real sense of the environment their children are spending time in."

Harris, of West Hills, has more than 28 years of experience as a certified teacher and director of preschools in California, New York, New Jersey and Oregon. Most recently she worked as director of the Montessori School in West Hills. She is trained in pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid.

"My basic philosophy is that I teach with fun," Harris said. "I believe in theme-based teaching that is both informative and fun."

Rancho Simi is offering two sets of prices, one that is considered co-op for parents who volunteer. Co-op prices are $130 per month with a noon dismissal and $155 for children who stay until 1 p.m. The regular (non co-op) price is $160 per month or $180 for 1 p.m. dismissal.

For more information, call (818) 865-9304.