Baymonte to run Bethany’s preschool

Bethany University’s former preschool, Early Childhood Learning Center, has new life after Baymonte Christian School agreed to take on operation of the self-sustaining school.
In mid-June, shortly after the center’s staff learned that Bethany University, the nearby institution that oversaw the program, had closed, members began searching for a way to continue running the school.
Director Helena Coffelt approached Baymonte Christian School with a proposal to join forces, and the wheels were set in motion for a two-year lease agreement that fell into place last week.
“We’re just excited for our future,” Coffelt said. “We persevered and pressed on.”
Last year, the tuition-based preschool had 42 students ages 2 through 6. Hearing the news of Bethany’s closure, some families left because of the uncertainty, Coffelt said, so the present group is smaller.
Few changes to the preschool are planned. The six staff members all remain, and enrollment is ongoing to fill up the program. The preschool will be accredited through the Association of Christian Schools International, and its staff will go through training with Baymonte.
Baymonte will also handle the school’s finances, which will streamline the enrollment and payment process.
“We had a good match for what we were doing and what they were doing,” said Baymonte Principal Steve Patterson. He noted that Baymonte is trying to make the transition seamless for parents who are part of the Early Childhood Learning Center family.
The center, 800 Bethany Drive, will offer a third preschool option for local families who would like to send their children to Baymonte, in addition to the programs at the campus on Granite Creek Road and in the little red schoolhouse on Scotts Valley Drive.
For information: 438-7980 or www.eclcpreschool.org