Bright Beginnings Preschool
A mission of St. John’s, Bright Beginnings is a preschool established to provide children ages 2-5 of all races, creeds, and ethnic backgrounds with a stimulating learning environment.
Bright Beginnings Episcopal Preschool is a small program with space for up to 20 children between 2-5 years old. We are open five days a week from 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Throughout the day, we focus on the development of the whole child by emphasizing the process, not the product. We value individuality and offer support in creating confident, independent and well-rounded children.
Our teachers have a variety of experience working with children and families.They participate in ongoing trainings and meet or exceed the Wyoming state licensing requirements.
We believe in inspiring creativity, stimulating curiosity, building independent thinkers, establishing social and emotional stability, and encouraging problem solving. Our program will prepare any child for the kindergarten classroom while ensuring they have fun along the way.
OUR TEACHERS
Blakeney Spong
Bright Beginnings Preschool Director
307-699-5087
Blakeney (pronounced "Blake-Knee”) grew up in Rome, Georgia. She moved to Jackson 6.5 years ago after graduating from the University of Georgia with a B.S. in Journalism and a double minor in Spanish and Political Science. Blakeney has been with Bright Beginnings since its inception in 2012. She loves to float the river, cook, read, and see live music.
Julie Tobiason
Bright Beginnings Preschool Director
Julie is excited to be teaching our youngest learners! A recent move to Grand Teton National Park from Maryland brought Julie here with her husband, John, and 2 sons, Jack and James. She has a degree in Early Childhood & Elementary Education. Julie is excited to incorporate lots of literacy, music, and play into the Cubs’ routine and has experience as a former children’s librarian. She enjoys hiking, cross-country skiing, exploring, and reading (especially children’s books).
Sarah Knight
Preschool Teacher
Sarah grew up in Columbus, Georgia. She recently moved to Jackson after spending summers here for the past 8 years. Sarah graduated from the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!) with a B.S. in Family and Consumer Science with an emphasis in Child and Family Development. She was a Pre-K teacher for 5 years in Atlanta, Georgia, and has completed training in Zoophonics, Everyday Mathematics, Handwriting Without Tears, Orton-Gillingham, Early Literacy Development, and Sensory Motor Success. Sarah loves to hike, fly fish, and raft!
Francien Kooymans
Preschool Teacher
Francien was born in the Netherlands, but moved to Jackson 10 years ago to work on a ranch. She has a degree in Elementary Education and has been with Bright Beginnings for 3 years. She lives with her partner, Neal, and their two children, Jolien and Tristan, and a bunch of animals! Francien loves horses and riding, camping, hiking, and cross-country skiing.
Brandi Radford
Preschool Teacher
Brandi and her husband, Fred, both graduated from Jackson Hole High School. They have 5 grown children: Heather, Lindsey, Kyle, Casandra, and Mackenzie. Their blended family has brought them 11 grandchildren. Brandi ran her own daycare in Jackson for 10 years and spent 4 years working at another large center in town. She loves watching children grow and is proud to be a part of their journey. She enjoys camping, fishing, riding motorcycles, and spending time with her family (especially her puppy)!
Caroline Johnson
Preschool Teacher
Caroline grew up in California and moved to Jackson in 1994. She has been with Bright Beginnings for 2½ years. She has a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts from Berkeley and a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from University of Nevada-Reno. Caroline spends winters at her second home in Maui and loves surfing, biking, swimming, hiking and, backpacking. She has 3 daughters, Annalise, Noelle and Leilani.
THE ENVIRONMENT
Bright Beginnings provides a warm and loving environment where first-time school goers and seasoned ones alike, feel welcome and accepted. Our nurturing atmosphere and low student-teacher ratio provide children with plenty of individual attention that positively encourages each child to develop in his/her own unique way.
We offer a rich, versatile, well-planned curriculum that considers the social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and creative needs of each child. Quality children's literature and real life experiences are the foundations upon which our curriculum is designed, with special aid from “Handwriting without Tears” and “Zoo-phonics.” Children are involved in cooking, art, music, dramatic play, Chapel time, yoga, science, math and literacy-building activities, and of course, indoor and outdoor free play. We also utilize the Start Bus and take frequent field trips throughout the year, including Story Time at the library, art classes at the Wildlife Museum, Children’s Museum, the Fire and Police Stations, Sled Dog races, the Teton County Fair, Teton Village, etc.
Our learning environment is both inside and out. In our facility, we have four large sunlit rooms to explore, including a creative arts center, reading loft, dramatic play area, napping space, sensory table, hands-on manipulatives and block building area. Outside, we have two fenced yards where the children have access to fresh air, new custom designed climbing structures, playhouse, and gross motor activities. This dual environment provides countless opportunities to develop a life-long love of learning.
MONTHLY TUITION
2 days $515
3 days $735
4 days $945
5 days $1,140
FOR MORE, CONTACT
Blakeney Spong, Director of Preschool | 307-699-5087 | [email protected]
160 North Glenwood Street | P.O. Box 1690 Jackson, Wyoming 83001
Bright Beginnings
