Little Bears Preschool: Celebrating 50 Years of Providing Children with Roots and Wings
The Little Bears Preschool, named “Best of the Best” preschool in Douglas County by readers of the Rocky Mountain New for four years in a row, has been housed in the education wing of Bowen Hall at Christ’s Episcopal Church for forty years. Licensed by the Colorado State Department of Social Services, the preschool is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The preschool was started in 1957 by Bess Scott in her home, where she managed it until 1967, when Mildred Stewart bought the preschool and relocated it to the church. “Ms. Natalie” Stewart, a Colorado native with a degree in Education from the University of Northern Colorado , an extensive background in education, and a Certified Director qualified in Early Childhood Education, bought the school in the 80s and continues to manage it today.
Though the church hosts the preschool, the preschool does not follow an Episcopalian curriculum. It is, however, a Judeo-Christian-influenced program, and the preschoolers hold a once per month service in the Chapel to “promote peace in the classroom and quiet time to use good manners and to pray.”
“My dream is to help a child prepare for kindergarten by learning to work within a group while at the same time being able to focus on a task without being distracted. Little Bears is different from the large franchise systems because we don’t have daycare or after-school care, we focus entirely on a preschool that best prepares your child for kindergarten.” - Ms. Natalie Stewart
Visit the Little Bears’ website (opens a new window) http://www.littlebearspreschoolco.com.
