“It takes a village to raise a child,” and in this case it may take a great preschool too! Introducing Smarty Pants Preschool located in Pleasant View, UT. This preschool has been going strong since 2013 when Hali Larsen and Jodi LaFeber collaborated together to start this endeavor. This fall they will enter their 4th year.
When asked what has made their school successful, LaFeber tells us, “Each teacher brings her own talents and strengths to the classroom. We have come to realize it isn’t WHAT we teach at Smarty Pants Preschool that makes it successful, but HOW we teach.”
Smart Pants Preschool provides a nurturing environment where students feel safe and supported as they try new things and work hard to become independent thinkers. Additionally, LaFeber reaffirms that, “We have also been so lucky to receive amazing support from the parents of our students and our surrounding communities.”
Miss Hali Larsen and Miss Jodi LaFeber are the directors/teachers at the preschool. Larsen is a graduate from Weber State University where she received her Bachelor’s Degree. She was the director at Dots and Doodles Preschool for 4 years in Mountain Green before she moved to North Ogden and opened “Smarty Pants.” LaFeber also earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Weber State in Elementary Education, with an emphasis in education and child development. She taught 2nd and 4th grade in the Weber District before becoming a teacher at the preschool. Also teaching at Smarty Pants are: Lori Larsen, Kristen Dean, Ashlee Urry, Cheyenne Remkes & Natalie King.
One of the greatest joys in teaching preschool, according to LaFeber, is “Watching children come to preschool in the fall, timid and shy, knowing only the letters in their name. Then, seeing them graduate from preschool in the spring with self-confidence and excitement as they master their skills needed for elementary school.”
Katie Chambers, of North Ogden, has a daughter who recently graduated from Smarty Pants. Chambers enthusiastically tells us, “We love Smarty Pants! The teachers are wonderful and they make each student feel loved and involved. They always take the time to do the extra little things that really make preschool special. Breklin learned a ton while she was there but most importantly she learned how to love learning!”
The curriculum at Smarty Pants Preschool is focused on teaching a balanced spectrum of early childhood education. Much of the focus is largely honed in on interpersonal, social development skills and fine/gross motor skills. For language enrichment they focus on music, story telling, nursery rhymes, poetry, and integrated arts programs. Field trips that stimulate learning and creativity are also part of the curriculum at Smarty Pants. In addition, different professionals are invited to come visit the classrooms to enhance the thematic units. They use a variety of curriculum that covers the Utah State Core Standards and the NAEYC approved curriculum.
Some of the highlights everyone enjoys at Smarty Pants include: The annual Christmas program and Spring graduation. LaFeber shares that, “Our students put on a very impressive program every year, filled with energetic singing, poetry reciting and hilarious dance moves! We had parents laughing till they cried as our students performed the “Whip and “Nae Nae” at our graduation this year.”
Nichole Mueller of Harrisville & a mother of preschool age children tells us, “I chose Smarty Pants Preschool because a couple of my friend’s kids go there and they love it! My kids are now attending and I love it! The teachers, especially Miss Hali and Miss Jodi are very kind and sweet with my kids. I’m so grateful for the love and care they have given my children. I also love the location! It’s the cutest little house, tucked away, surrounded by trees. “
It can be a challenge when children come to Smarty Pants on so many different learning levels. LeFeber says, “We want to be able to help all our students learn, regardless of their background and prior knowledge.” In doing this the staff at Smarty Pants has come up with a strategic plan to individualize their curriculum, placing the children in one of their 3 curriculum “steps.” Now, each student feels successful in their own group amongst peers of their same level.
Although Smarty Pants is full for the 2016 fall school year, you may still sign up for the waiting list in case of last-minute openings. You may also pre-register for upcoming years. Please visit the website for any available classes, pricing and further questions.
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