Young At Art Museum Expands Preschool Program

Graduates from the first YAA Preschool Class
Graduates from the first YAA Preschool Class

DAVIE, Fla. – Young At Art Museum announces the expansion of its licensed Preschool program to include a new classroom and an additional 17 children.  YAA Preschool, which just graduated its first class, now will accommodate a total of 39 children and registration is open for the 2014-15 school calendar-year.

“During our inaugural year, we were filled to capacity with a waiting list, which prompted us to expand our program,” said Gina Gates, early childhood programs manager/director YAA Preschool.

Featuring a curriculum created especially for Young At Art, the exciting and unique art and literacy Preschool program focuses on museum exploration, interaction with the in-house library branch, special guests, and each month has a different art theme where the curriculum areas are focused on a particular artist.  Hands-on, minds-on activities help children learn as well as broaden their understanding of the world around them and prepare them for kindergarten.

Classes are designed for three and four-year-olds, with VPK standards for the four-year old curriculum.

“This is such a unique program as we have full use of the Museum and all it has to offer, as well as the library,” added Gates. “It is extremely gratifying to be able to expand our educational reach with an additional class with programs that enrich more children and families.”

Children at YAA Preschool also will experience Young At Art’s four permanent galleries: GreenScapes, which encourages children and adults to reconnect with nature by discovering the potential of art to call attention to environmental issues; CultureScapes, which celebrates and brings new understanding of our culturally diverse world through the eyes and art of contemporary artists; WonderScapes, a world of imagery dedicated to childhood development through art, literacy and play; and ArtScapes, which provides a thematic journey of art history where art crosses time, place and culture.

The licensed Preschool promotes natural curiosity and creativity through a world of play and learning in a safe and stimulating museum environment, with nurturing teachers who guide children to build confidence, imagination, skills and socialization.

Preschool classes at Young At Art Museum are offered Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and follow the Broward County School calendar.

The annual cost of YAA Preschool is $8,000 for members and $8,250 for non-members.  YAA Preschool accepts Voluntary Pre-kindergarten (VPK) certificates. With a VPK voucher, there is a discount of $2,400 off of the annual tuition.

A nonrefundable registration fee of $150 is required to reserve space in the class, as well as a $500 deposit which will be applied to the first month’s tuition.

Before and after-care also are available for an additional fee.

For more information, to schedule a tour and to register for YAA Preschool, please contact Gina Gates at 954-424-5070 or ggates@youngatartmuseum.org. For more information about Young At Art Museum, call 954-424-0085 or visit YoungAtArtMuseum.org.