Academy of Early Childhood Learning
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Welcome to The Academy

COLUMBIA’S PREMIER PRESCHOOL FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING

Structured Curriculum

More than a daycare. Every baby and child learns from a structured curriculum that develops life skills and prepares them for kindergarten and beyond.

Safe Environment

Key coded doors, camera system throughout, emergency disaster plans, and allergy action plans create a safe environment for your child.

Family Involvement

Performances, events, various feasts, and an open class policy provide ample opportunity to get involved with your child’s learning.

2 Locations

Call Today for a Personal Tour

South

(573)441-0101
3210 S Providence
Columbia, MO 65203
Schedule Tour

East

(573)441-0888
9 Dorado Drive
Columbia, MO 65202
Schedule Tour

Our Mission

WHY WE EXIST
Our mission is for every child to reach his/her full potential by providing a secure, affirming, and educational climate that emphasizes the importance of families and educators as integral components in a child’s development. We create environments that encourage enthusiasm and passion in learning while demonstrating dignity in all we achieve.
Core Values and Beliefs

  • Every person is unique and individual
  • Dignity in all we do
  • Trust and respect of staff and families
  • Family bond

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Meet our Directors

WE ARE ALL HERE TO HELP YOU

Academy of Early Childhood Learning is a locally owned and operated business. Stephen and Sherry Wendling opened the doors in 1999 and continue to provide excellence in childcare. The Executive Director oversees the business operations while each site has an appointed Director that oversees day to day operations. Please contact one of our Directors to receive more information regarding our centers. We look forward to hearing from you.

Emily Simms

East Director

Jordan Sicht

Jordan Sicht

South Director

Testimonials

WHAT PARENTS SAY ABOUT US

From the 9 preschools we visited before enrolling our child to the Academy, your institution stands out in every aspect, providing a safe, healthy and intellectually challenging environment, endowing children with skills and knowledge well beyond the requirements for kindergarten enrollment.K & T Jakab

We love that the teachers are doing an excellent job. My son loves it there and whatever he learns that day, he comes home and show me. He’s talking a lot more. Khom Yoon

The Academy of Early Childhood Learning has been and continues to be a life rewarding experience for my 3 children. I am so thankful for the love, education and influence they have received during their various stages of developmental growth. It provided my oldest two sons a strong foundation and beneficial transition into elementary school. The Academy provides an unbelievable opportunity for my children to grow and succeed away from home. I credit a lot of my children’s development and early success in school to their time at the Academy.Jenny Putnam

This is a wonderful place for my child. He has grown a lot in just the short time he has been going to the academy. The teachers are all wonderful! We couldn’t have chosen a better place.Tonya Moore

We have had superb care at Academy East from every teacher our daughters have gone through. Every room is unique and has wonderfully trained staff, eager to teach, and full of energy. My daughters never want to leave! Our experience at Academy East is first-rate! Laura Stiefermann

Our family has had a FANTASTIC experience at the Academy. My husband and I were both recently saying that we cannot imagine taking our son to any other school. In researching child care, we knew right away that a learning environment was the best fit for our child. What we didn’t know is how much the love and care at the Academy makes a difference. We are so grateful to know he is with such a strong group of thoughtful and caring mentors and teachers every day.

We have seen amazing growth and development in the last two years and we know so much is due to the experience he has at school. When our family did have concerns, they were thoughtfully heard and addressed. Every child is different, and so is every family, but we have appreciated all of the special events and activities. We were blown away by the Nutcracker production and have cherished our time spent in the classroom at Thanksgiving or other holiday parties and events. It has been a truly wonderful experience and we look forward to many more!Susan Buckler

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Gallery

HAVE A LOOK

Upcoming Events

DO NOT MISS ANYTHING

Blog

OUR DAILY LIFE

Partnering with Your Child’s Educator


By Jordan Sicht
No CommentsPosted in Monthly tip, PBS, Uncategorized
 

Each weekday you entrust us with the joy and honor of caring for and educating the most precious people in your lives – your children. For the better part of their waking hours, your child looks to their teaching team for care, guidance, education, and love. As we become such an integral part of your child’s day, it is important that we remain in the loop if you feel something your family is navigating could affect their emotional state or schedule. Families might be experiencing the sudden absence of a family member due to illness, death, or even just business travel. Perhaps the family has recently moved or has even just been discussing a move. Maybe your child just found out they are going to be a big brother or sister? Even something as simple as a schedule change at work can sometimes cause a ripple felt by your child at school.

We have the same goals that you do for your child; that they continue to grow and thrive in a supportive environment. The clearer picture we have of your child’s home life, the better equipped we’ll be to help your child cope.

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Give Thanks


By Jordan Sicht
No CommentsPosted in Monthly tip, PBS
As often is the case, you’re probably very busy. I’m glad you took the time to read this far. We want to fit it ALL into our schedule. Every opportunity, festival, party, team and club becomes very important. Recently at a pumpkin patch I saw a parent, with 3 or 4 children in her charge, barking at one child to hurry up and “pick a pumpkin, we have things to do!”. Many of us may find comfort in reminding ourselves that we don’t need to fit it all in, but we do need to focus on doing a few things well. Sometimes, as a parent, it is too easy to get wrapped up in busy schedules, expectations not being met, and messes being made (and not cleaned up.)  Take a moment (take EVERY moment) in the coming weeks to bask in the wonder of being a parent. Not everyone is afforded this opportunity. Take a deep breath from atop your baby’s head, close your eyes and mentally record your preschooler’s laugh, or pause to note the size of the handprints you are scrubbing off the walls. Give thanks for the privilege of raising a child. At Academy we cherish the opportunity to be a part of those moments too. From our hearts to yours, Happy Holidays!

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Your Child’s Confidence


By Jordan Sicht
No CommentsPosted in Monthly tip, PBS, Uncategorized
 

 

At any stage of development, parents and caregivers have a crucial role in helping children develop the self-confidence they’ll need in all aspects of their current and future success. We have the opportunity and responsibility to recognize these opportunities and help to nurture our children in a way that strengthens their confidence and builds a healthy sense of self. Our role isn’t only to keep children healthy, educated, and safe, it also means maintaining and growing a child’s sense of self-worth. With this comes the child’s confidence in being able to take on new challenges, work through adversity, and venture into new relationships. Visit ZeroToThree.org for more insight and tips in child development.

Thank you for all you do!

https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/226-tips-on-helping-your-child-develop-confidence

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The Power of Positivity


By Jordan Sicht
No CommentsPosted in Monthly tip, PBS
Some of us have had the opportunity to work and live around someone who is seemingly unflappable, a perpetual optimist.  Although those among us who grumble might label them a Pollyanna, this is a heartfelt “Thank you” to those people.
Fortunately, optimism can be contagious.  I don’t feel the need to dissect why; I just like when it is! When we are all able to look “on the bright side,” we are better at seeing someone’s gifts, talents, and hard work instead of their faults and mistakes.
When we look forward to what we want out of a situation, season, year, or life, we can focus on the big things that will spell success, rather than on the hurdles, pitfalls, and failures that can, and will, happen.

“The greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances.” – Martha Washington

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