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On May 18, the Joshua Academy (JA) pre-school held its graduation ceremony for 14 of its four-to-six year old students. JA is part of the Joshua Early Childhood Center (JECC) in Centennial. In addition to the pre-school, JECC also houses Joshua Early Intervention (JEI) for young children with autism.
“We are so proud of our pre-schoolers,” says Brooke Lestikow, program director for JA. “We place a heavy emphasis on building character, kindness and acceptance through our integrated environment.” According to Lestikow, JA utilizes Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies GOLD for assessment and teaching areas such as literacy, math, and social/emotional development. And, the 14 graduating students were in JA’s Treasure Mountain classroom. These budding students are off to kindergarten in the Fall.
“The Joshua Early Childhood Center grew out of our renowned early Intervention model to become an all-inclusive setting that serves children between the ages of 2.5 and 6 years old to form a community that emphasizes acceptance, understanding and character,” says Joshua School Executive Director Ed Nichols.
On April 11, Joshua Early Childhood Center (JECC) marked three years in business. What started with less than 15 staff and 10 kids enrolled, now has 32 staff and serves 55 families. The inclusive atmosphere at JECC is undeniable. Students from both Joshua Academy (JA) and Joshua Early Intervention (JEI) participate together in activities each day.
What’s so special about JECC is that it offers an integrated preschool model that is the gold standard for early intervention in a school setting. JA is a curriculum-based early childhood learning experience for all children. JA focuses on development in all key areas, including social, emotional, pre-academic and physical.
Joshua Early Childhood Center is located at 5760 E. Otero Avenue, Centennial, CO 80112. For more information, go www.joshuaearlychildhoodcenter.org, email info@joshuaearlychildhoodcenter.org or call 720-316-5234.