Getting children started on the right foot
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Preparing a child for kindergarten - with some fun mixed in - is the focus at World of Discovery Preschool.

Kathy Honsberger, owner and director of the preschool, has started her first school year in those positions and has already seen growth among the students.

"To get the students really ready for kindergarten, the changes happen now," she said. "We get the kids comfortable ... so I have no second thoughts about sending them off to schools."

World of Discovery Preschool has three programs: a 3-year-old morning group that meets twice a week; a 4-year-old morning group that meets three times a week; and a 5-year-old day group that is available five times a week.

The day program is funded by the Williamsville School District and is a universal prekindergarten site.

Honsberger said the school has been one of the "best kept secrets" in town for many years.

In addition to Honsberger, the staff includes two certified teachers. Among them the staff has early childhood education degrees, a master's degree in education and a reading specialist degree.

Barb Waterman, a preschool teacher for 13 years, said that communicating with the parents on their children's development is very important.

World of Discovery Preschool invites parents to be as involved as they can, from volunteering in classroom activities to meeting with the school's staff at least twice a year.

Through parent interaction and teaching children independence, the school has found a balance to making sure all developmental needs of a student are met. Students attend their sessions

for two and a half hours, taking part in circle time, crafts, music and free time. The staff also helps the students create a journal throughout the school year. In addition to everyday lessons, the class goes on field trips.

The goal of the staff is traditional preschool lessons - teaching children to use their words to express their feelings, to be independent in their tasks and to accept the other children in the classroom.

For more information about World of Discovery Preschool, located at 151 Youngs Road, call 634-7525.