What a difference a year makes. Just one year ago, Sharon Cowley–otherwise known as the beloved preschool and enrichment teacher “Miss Sharon“–was stunned when the “On School Road” learning program she ran at Comstock Community Center was closed by the town without much warning. Wilton’s Parks and Recreation department, which oversaw the program, shut it down when the state said it could not operate as it didn’t have the proper licensing. Because the town opted not to pursue a daycare license, many families were left stranded just one week before the start of school with no plan for their young children, and the school’s teachers were left without jobs.
Fast forward one year, and you’ll find Miss Sharon set to open the doors of her new school on Sept. 2, something she has always wanted to do. Her Create Learning Center, located at 463 Danbury Rd., offers creative preschool programs and extended-day childcare for children from 19 months to 5 years old, after school and enrichment classes for students in grades K-12.
Cowley is hosting an open house this Saturday, Aug. 24. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. for familiar friends and students to celebrate the new schools, as well as for new families to see what the program is about. According to the Create website, the creative programming Cowley is known for will form the core curriculum of the school:
“Create Learning Center is our answer to the community need for affordable, creative, exciting early childhood programming. create is an environment where children are given the necessary tools to build self awareness and self-esteem. A place for children to deepen their respect for others and the environment and to think independently and creatively. We foster imagination, exploration, ingenuity and compassion to help children become active problem solvers and creative members of our community. We believe children need a place to feel empowered, comfortable and safe to be ready to explore, investigate and experiment with their surroundings. It is our philosophy to design curriculum around children’s interests, change schedules to meet the groups needs or wants, and most importantly include children’s ideas in classroom planning. Our goal is to help foster creative, independent, critical thinkers. Welcome to create!”
Create Learning Center is located at 463 Danbury Rd.. For more information, visit their website or call 203.762.6161. Children are very welcome to attend.