“It doesn’t feel like I have a job,” admits Kids Corner owner Sue Biddle. “I love it here.”
Biddle may have hit the jackpot in finding career bliss, but it’s Orion area residents that are truly the lucky ones.
Located on the corner of Joslyn and Clarkston Roads, across from Orion Oaks Elementary, Kids Corner has programs for anyone between the ages of six weeks and 11 years.
Families that are presently attending travel from Ortonville, Metamora, Oxford and Rochester.
Programs offered at Kids Corner include infant toddler care, 3-4 year old child care, alternate kindergarten, preschool, latchkey and summer camp.
The school is staffed for up to 47 children and offers individual attention because of their smaller classroom size.
“In a larger facility there are as many as 30 students in a classroom,” Biddle says. “There’s approximately 16 students in our largest classroom.”
Biddle believes that many important details can get lost in the crowd when dealing with a larger group.
“I think that’s the biggest way that we differ,” she adds.
At Kids Corner, children are personally greeted every morning by familiar faces, and a low staff turnover ensures that personal relationships are built.
Biddle (formerly Sue Tunny) has been a Lake Orion resident for 41 years and knows just how important a familiar face can be at young ages.
“Because I am on a smaller scale, our employees are here for a long time,” she says. “The children get to know all of the staff, not just their own teacher.”
For the toddler and preschool aged children, Kids Corner offers full time and part time options.
The school opens at 7 a.m. and offers breakfast before the preschool class begins at 9 a.m.
Preschool runs all morning, with lunch coming at noon. Children that stay for the afternoon have quiet time before getting a chance to play outdoors and participate in various other activities. There is also an afternoon snack.
The school is open until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Many elementary school children come to Kids Corner for latchkey both before and after school, and transportation is provided to and from school by the Lake Orion Bus Transportation.
“Once you become a part of the Kids Corner family, you’re always a part of the Kids Corner family,” says Biddle, who thinks that some of her older elementary students might even venture into teaching in their own classrooms when they get older.
With the focus on building self esteem, Kids Corner has made all the right moves.
“Childhood should be magical,” Biddle says. “Kids Corner provides memories to last for years.”
Kids Corner is located at 1870 W. Clarkston Road.
For more information on the school stop by or give them a call at (248) 814-9096.