Our House Preschool

We have limited openings for Fall 2024. Email [email protected] us to learn more.

Childcare that encourages thoughtfulness, curiosity, respect, inclusion and empathy.

Based in South Burlington Vermont, Our House Preschool is a Vermont home based preschool focused on providing children ages 2-5 with a nurturing and responsive environment to discover, learn, grow, and realize their potential. The Our House experience empowers children with school and life readiness skills in a caring and nurturing environment.

Introduction to Our House

It is with great pleasure and excitement that I welcome you to “Our House”. I look forward to your family becoming a part of ours. Children learn and grow best when they feel loved, safe and secure. From the moment your child enters “Our House”, I want them to feel at home. Your child’s growth and development are a collaborative effort, but one you know best.

My play-based, emergent curriculum is set up to foster all areas of development and to meet the individual needs of each child. Emergent curriculum is initiated by the child, and is constantly developing; learning is a life-long process. My goal is to teach children how to learn and help them use their current skills as building blocks for future learning opportunities.

Our primary focus will be on the social-emotional development of your child. I want to prepare them to be successful in Kindergarten. Together we will learn to share, cooperate, wait, be independent, have confidence, communicate, and most importantly to have fun. It is during the mastery of these skills that academic learning will naturally take place.

The fundamental guiding principles behind our learning are thoughtfulness, curiosity, respect, inclusion and empathy. We will work together to create a schedule and rhythm that is structured, consistent and most importantly, flexible.

About Us

Ms. MJ with her family.

Our House Lead Teacher & Director, Ms. MJ Sleeper

I am a 53 year-old mother and step-mother of six beautiful children and one granddaughter. My soulmate, Liam, and I live with our dog and two cats. Our children range in age from 21-27. I graduated from the University of Vermont in 1993 with a Bachelor of Education and I hold a current Vermont Level 1 teaching license for birth to grade 3. I have worked in preschool and kindergarten settings for over twenty years, most recently as the Executive Director of Childcare Programs for The EDGE Kids & Fitness. I love to play, teach and learn. Hosting a preschool in my home has been a lifelong dream.

Ms. Heather with her family.

My name is Heather Hamilton. I have been employed at The Edge Kids & Fitness as a Director/Teacher for the last 27 years. I have my Bachelor’s Degree and License in Early Childhood. It has always been my passion to work with children and am excited to start my next journey teaching at Our House. I have worked alongside MJ for almost 10 years, and can’t wait to be team teaching this Fall. I love a hands-on explorative approach to learning that incorporates natural investigation and exploring our world through different lenses through cooking, science, and art.

When I am not teaching, I love spending time with my husband Dan, and 3 children; Dylan 19, Allie 16, Katie 15. Dylan graduated this year and will be heading to RIT to major in Aerospace Engineering. We are excited about his new adventures but cant believe our baby is leaving the nest. I spend most of my free time going to the kid’s sports events, being outdoors, and lounging with my pets Jazzy and Rusty.

I am a true believer in advocating for your children and respect constructive open communication and feedback. I am excited to get to know your little learners and be a part of Our House. See you Soon!

Heather

Goals & Values

Your child will feel safe. I want “Our House” to be just that, a home away from home where they can learn, thrive and grow.
Your child will want to come to school each day and find their school to be a place of wonder, magic and opportunities to be themselves. A place where they feel loved, valued and successful.
Your child’s self-esteem will flourish. Through our work/play they will experience positive reinforcement, be given choices to support their autonomy and feel reassurance in challenges they may face through gentle guidance and positive redirection.

General Rhythm of the Day

subject to change based on children’s needs

8:00 – 8:30 – Arrival

8:30- 9:15 – Choice time

9:15 – 10:00 – Clean up, snack and bathroom time

10:00 – 10:45 – Outdoor time

10:45 – 11:45 – Circle and Project time

11:45 – 12:45 – Free play, Clean up, bathroom time and lunch

12:45 – 1:00 – Transition to quiet/nap time

1:00 – 3:00 – Nap and quiet time

3:00 – 4:00 – Choice time

Enrollment & Dates

Our House Preschool will run Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. Following initial contact and interest in my program families will receive a copy of the handbook with tuition information. Potential students are always welcome to come and visit “Our House” and meet me. When a family decides to enroll the following paperwork will be completed and submitted along with a non-refundable deposit to secure your enrollment.

We have limited openings for Fall 2024. Email [email protected] with questions or to schedule your tour.

2024/2025 Our House Academic Calendar*

*Please note there have been changes to the 2024-2025 school year calendar. We have shifted a few days around and extended the year. We will be open the same number of days for full-time children and an additional week for part time children, as I will not be going on vacation in November. Instead, we will be closed the full week of Thanksgiving this year.

Any child who will be three on or before 9/1/2024 is eligible for ACT166 funding through your local school district. You must register your child through your local school district office.

Our House accepts subsidy. I encourage all families to review the updated CCFAP program. The State of Vermont has significantly increased the funding allotted to families and lowered eligibility requirements, in an effort to support families and child care programs across the state. The link for more information: Child Care Financial Assistance | Department for Children and Families (vermont.gov)

FAQ

Q. Will you follow the school schedule?

A. Our House will follow a modified version of the South Burlington school calendar. In an effort to provide consistency for the children and not take random days here and there and to provide 35 weeks of preschool the Our House schedule is a bit different.

Q. What is the child to teacher ratio?

A. 1 to 6

Q. What are the enrollment deadlines?

A. Enrollment is open until all spots are filled. Currently enrolled families will be given the opportunity to re-enroll and secure placement for the next school year in January of the current school year.

Q. What are drop off and pick up times?

A. Our House preschool runs Monday-Friday from 8:00-4:00.

Q. Will there be field trips?

A. We will take walking field trips on the South Burlington bike path frequently as outdoor time is essential each day.

Q. Will you provide access to publicly-funded prekindergarten education for Vermont students (i.e. Act 166)?

A. Yes. Our House is an early learning partner and every child who is three years of age on or before 9/1/2024 will receive Act 166 funding (provided they are not using that funding at another pre-k location).

Q. Does Our House accept subsidy from the Childcare Financial Assistance Program?

A. Yes. We encourage all families to visit the link below to learn more:

Link to Child Care Financial Assistance information

Contact Us

We are located in the vibrant, family-friendly South Burlington Cider Mill neighborhood. If you are interested in learning more or scheduling a classroom visit, please provide your information and we will reach out to schedule a time to speak.

Inquiries can be sent to [email protected]. Thank you for your interest!