Integrated Preschool & Day School Program

Program Summary

Inquiry Academy is a unique early childhood education program located in Orem, Utah.  My program will provide a much-needed service in the community--quality educational programming for young children, with a specific focus on integrating children with special developmental and educational needs with typically functioning peers.  

Inquiry Academy’s primary objective is to provide parents and children with quality care using curriculum based on best practices and methods as determined by the nation’s leading early childhood association.  We will provide a unique service for families in Utah County by providing class programs based on brain based research and developmentally appropriate practice.  Our unique educational approach, our lower than average adult to child ratios, and our “mentorship approach” to teaching will set us apart from other facilities in the area.

 While living in the Salt Lake area I had the chance to work at a high quality lab school focused on using best practices in early childhood education, and I had hoped to find a similar program to work with when I moved back to Utah Valley.  Unfortunately, I found many of the programs in the area provide less than ideal conditions for care with educational elements that are sadly lacking and few of them have the resources to provide educational opportunities for children with special needs.  My ultimate goal is to create a place where all children can grow and develop at their own pace, where parents are supported and encouraged in their parenting journey, and where educators can learn more about best practices and apply them in their day to day activities. 

Use of Funds

I am seeking sufficient funding to cover the lease and several months working capital and contingency funds to ensure success in the first phase of growth as we build enrollment, and the second phase of growth as we hire and train several early childhood educators and expand our existing class groups.  Funding is needed to cover the expenses of starting and maintaining the business until reaching our breakeven point, and to continue to grow the program until we reach our full capacity.

Product & Services

Our program will provide a unique teaching approach combining constructivist teaching methods with traditional academics.  Our unique holistic approach seamlessly integrates academics with social/emotional development and cooperative learning opportunities, and will appeal to parents who are looking for an individualized learning experience for their child, including children with unique educational needs.  We will carefully assess each child and meet with the child’s parents cooperatively to discuss their assessment results and create an individualized learning plan with specific goals for each child.    These goals will be utilized to help us plan an emergent curriculum that is fully individualized to meet each child’s educational and developmental needs. 

Conclusion

Assisting in funding my program will provide opportunities for many children who are not receiving the educational support they need in other programs.  These children are capable of learning and thriving in an educational environment that is tailored to meet their specific needs.