La Petite Academy
When Wykeshia De Four talks about her work as director of La Petite Academy, the word “family” keeps coming up. “I like to make it feel like home,” she says. “I want parents to know we will love, nurture and truly care for their children while they’re at work. As the mom of a two-year-old, I want what I’d want for my own child.”
Parents are greeted by name when they arrive, and De Four makes herself available to address any concerns they may have. La Petite’s community of caring extends beyond school hours. “We recently had a family that lost two loved ones, and I was able to go to one of the viewings,” she says. “These little things make a difference.” She’s quick to praise the teachers for the school’s success. “My staff is truly a team. They pull together to love and care for my babies—and they’re all my babies!”
De Four takes special pride in the schools pre- kindergarten program. “Our teacher takes the curriculum and makes it her own,” she says. “Our kids leave here and they are truly ready for school.” Like La Petite’s other early childhood programs, pre-K includes plenty of hands-on activities and a kid-friendly dose of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).
Along with getting the little ones prepared for school, La Petite also offers before and after- school care for children through age twelve. The school-age room includes comfortable study space, a Nintendo console and Foosball table, science stations, and even a yoga center. “We have children who start with us as babies and go all the way up through school age,” says De Four.
La Petite maintains a three-star status, the highest rating given by the state of Oklahoma. Along with lots of TLC, it offers a high-quality curriculum to make sure the children’s learning needs are met. “It truly is no child left behind,” says De Four. “If a child is struggling, we pull together to bring that child on board.”
The school got a new look recently, with a playground remodel, new paint and flooring.
De Four and her staff have also added more technology to the learning mix, including robotics and teacher-led, age-appropriate iPad activities. But La Petite’s central focus remains the same— providing a warm, safe home-away-from-home to the children in its care.
La Petite is accepting new students, and De Four is glad to talk with parents about the program. “If they’re looking for child care and want a family friendly place, LaPetite on 33rd is the location,” she says. “We are family.”
La Petite Academy serves children from infancy through age 12. Learn more at www.lapetite.com.
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