New preschool gets planning board green light
After 25 years in education, Amy Ortiz is living her dream. The mother of two grown children started her teaching career in a third grade classroom in Southfield. She later taught at Cranbrook, where she fell in love with early childhood education, a path she continued at Birmingham Public Schools, where she was the lead preschool teacher for 4-year-olds at Quarton Elementary two years ago when the pandemic hit. “I wanted to continue to provide an educational platform, and I had my home license for a small preschool that I’ve been running for the last year plus,” Ortiz said. “We currently have a waitlist and are moving into town, in an amazing, small and unique space that provides a safe and loving learning environment for children ages 3 to 5.
This fall, Ortiz EduCare will open its doors to the littlest learners, on Grant Street in Birmingham. “The ultimate goal is to raise good little people in this climate we live in and have them kindergarten-ready when I send them on their way,” Ortiz said. “This is usually their first experience with school, and my goal is to have them embrace the love of learning and school, so it carries throughout their educational career.”
Play-based, hands-on learning experiences and the development of life skills is an important part of the preschool experience emphasized at Ortiz EduCare. “I love just watching their minds think. They’re creative and expressive,” Ortiz said. “It’s a lot of hands-on activities. We’re growing a garden. They’re learning how to make eye contact. They’ll know how to sit on the carpet and enjoy a story. I tell the parents they’ll know how to peel a Cutie when they’re done with me. “We focus on life skills. I believe that’s important. They’re all very smart, and they’ll be exactly where they’re supposed to be. I believe right now we have to teach kindness and love, and then the magic happens,” Ortiz said.
Ortiz EduCare offers full-day sessions and care both before and after school to accommodate working families. “There are waitlists everywhere,” Ortiz said. “There’s a huge demand for quality child care. It’s not day care. It’s preschool. Due to the demand, I’m offering before and after care, because so many parents have to go back to work. “It’s a partnership with parents,” Ortiz added. “It’s their first experience with their kids going to school, too. It’s a seamless transition and there’s security knowing their children are in a safe place.”