For parents seeking the learning environment that’s best for their child, the White Bear Lake Preschool Expo is the one-stop shop to learn about preschools in the area.
The Moms Club of White Bear Lake, a nonprofit support group for stay-at-home moms, has sponsored the expo for 10 years. Stephanie Jakoblich, one of the expo’s coordinators, says the event has helped allay many parents’ worries about finding the right place for their child to start school.
“When I talk to parents [at the event], they’re very thankful that we’ve put this on,” Jakoblich says. “For at least half of them that come, it’s their first child going to preschool, or they’ve just moved to White Bear; this expo is the first point of contact for both the school and the family.”
This year’s expo expects 15 to 20 schools to be on hand with information about enrollment, the curriculum, what a typical school day looks like, accreditation information, teaching style, location, hours and more. Various types of early childhood programs will be invited, such as those in the public school system, church-affiliated programs, local educational day cares, community centers, Montessori schools and non-religiously affiliated programs. Families will also be able to explore local businesses that cater to families with preschool-aged children.
The expo is free for families to attend, and parents are encouraged to bring their children—many schools bring crafts for the kids to work on, and Jakoblich hopes to bring in a Disney princess again this year to mingle with the families.
If You Go
What: White Bear Lake Preschool Expo
When: January 14, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Where: WBLAHS-North Campus
