As a business with a long tradition of giving back to the cities and towns where their private pre-schools are located, the Freehold community is no exception. In addition to providing parents of young children an early childhood experience that will give them the best educational programs to increase their academic success, they also want to be good community partners.
That’s why on Tuesday, April 8 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Malvern School, 165 Elton-Adelphia Rd., Freehold residents are invited to a ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening event celebration. It will mark the opening of the Malvern School’s 21st location, and the expansion in to Central New Jersey, one of the key markets for growth, according to Kristen Waterfield, president and COO of the Malvern School. “For the past 15 years, we’ve been committed to making our private pre-schools the best in the nation, and Freehold is no exception,” she said. “As a mother of young children myself, and an elementary school teacher by training, there is nothing more important to me than giving children the tools they need to excel in school and in life. I couldn’t be happier to be able to bring our nationally-recognized programs to parents and children right here in Freehold.” Waterfield added that currently, 11 Malvern Schools have received the NAEYC Accreditation, the highest industry designation for superior quality and high standards.
As part of the grand opening, parents will be able to take a guided tour of the school, meet the teachers and staff, and see first-hand why the Malvern School is different than other programs offered for young children. They will also be able to pick up rules for a new essay contest called, “Mother Knows Best,” where children, ages four to eight, can submit a 100-word essay on what makes their mom the “best mom ever.” The grand prize winner will receive $100, a gift certificate from Sweet Lew’s Hometown Cafe on Mother’s Day, and a signed children’s book by former First Lady Barbara Bush. The first-place winner will receive a set of Mrs. Bush’s Story Time books. Malvern is the only pre-school in the country to offer “Mrs. Bush’s Story Time” events throughout the school year, where children listen to Mrs. Bush reading popular children’s books, accompanied by special educational activities.
Waterfield added that many things differentiate her schools from their competitors. “My business partner and I have been literally pioneers in the industry, and were the first to create curricula designed to replace the old day care models that were popular at the time. Today, our schools are recognized as industry leaders, and our students have gone on to do great things. Often times they credit their success to being encouraged at an early age to love learning.”
Waterfield’s dedication to philanthropy is also evident in the school’s corporate culture, raising significant funds for Alex’s Lemonade Stand, and many other non-profits in communities where Malvern Schools are located. “We not only have helped large and small non-profits, but we encourage all of our 600-plus employees to do the same,” Waterfield added.
For more information on the Freehold School Grand Opening event, visit www.malvernschool.com. Contest rules can be downloaded online or picked up at the school during the grand opening event. Entries need to be submitted no later than May 6, 2014, and may be emailed to: projects@malvernschool.com. Winners will be notified by email, and Malvern students are excluded from entering.