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The community is welcome to attend Whitko Early Learning Academy’s (WELA) open house July 24, 2024, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The state licensed child care center is at Whitko Career Academy, 710 N SR 5, Larwill, and provides infant care, preschool, pre-K, and before and after school programming for children 6-weeks- to 12-years-old. During the open house, visitors can tour the expanded and renovated facility, meet teachers, and complete registration forms for the 2024-25 school year.
Rachel Hardy became the WELA director in the spring of 2024.
“I was immediately drawn to the abundance of community involvement and input into creating great programs for the children in the community,” she said. “It was a very refreshing thing to see how much passion the community has when it comes to education and childcare. I was also drawn to how hard the staff worked to help maintain a safe and welcoming environment for the children taking part in the programs.”
Hardy has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a Kindergarten endorsement from Grace College, and a Mild Intervention (Pre-K – 12th grade) license from IPFW. Hardy began her teaching career with Warsaw High School as a special education teacher, before becoming the Childcare and Inclusive Programming Director at the Kosciusko Community YMCA.
Long-time employee Sieara Arnett was recently named assistant director.
Whitko Early Learning Academy looks forward to the new school year and encourages interested families to fill out the enrollment/interest form online at whitko.org/littlecats or contact WELA by calling (260) 723-0552 or emailing WELA@whitko.org.