Willamalane Preschool Expands Enrollment this September

Starting this September, Willamalane will more than double its full-time preschool offerings! The Willamalane Tiny Ducks Preschool program will welcome up to 80 students. Previously, the preschool could accommodate up to 20 students. 

Quality early education is a crucial predictor of school readiness for young children. Willamalane Tiny Ducks Preschool will help prepare students for the transition to elementary school, ensuring that they are well-prepared and ready to learn. 

Over the last year, Bob Keefer Center and its preschool wing have been under construction. Meeting rooms and under-used classroom space have been reconfigured to make the new preschool possible. Construction on this project began in January and will be completed in August. Once complete, the expanded preschool wing will provide key amenities needed to serve more students and teachers, including new restrooms, teacher offices, and three new classrooms. 

A one-time investment of $500,000 from the University of Oregon made Willamalane’s preschool expansion possible. “We are incredibly grateful to the University of Oregon for their community partnership,” said Michael Wargo, Executive Director at Willamalane. “This expansion allows us to serve more families and offer the high-quality preschool education that prepares children for kindergarten.”

This project will include the following: 

• Construction of three additional classrooms
• A new playground (construction taking place in September 2024)
• Building infrastructure upgrades
• Art installations
• New furnishings and educational equipment

Many other community organizations have provided significant donations to support classroom supplies and playground equipment. Thanks to these community organizations for their continued support of increasing preschool access in our area and helping to create an ideal place for children to learn, grow, and play: Oregon Veterinary Referral Associates, IEQ Technology, Heritage Bank, Advance Cabinet Designs, Rexius, and the Willamalane Park Foundation. This generous support has enabled improvements to existing classrooms as well as the outdoor playground and activity spaces.

Willamalane has provided high-quality childcare in the Springfield area for years. The park and recreation district also operates after-school childcare programs at Springfield Public School elementary sites, a free middle school after-school program at Bob Keefer Center, and a variety of camps when school is not in session.

Registration for fall programs and childcare for the 24-25 school year opens on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024 at 8 a.m. For more information on Willamalane’s preschool program and job opportunities, visit willamalane.org/preschool.