A new child care center looking to open in Oxford Township is currently making its way through the site plan approval process.
Rochester residents Michelle and Peter Stuhlreyer are looking to build a one-story, 8,000-square-foot Goddard School just west of the Flagstar Bank on M-24. The parcel is a little more than an acre in size and would be accessible by Gateway Drive, a private road.
‘We really liked the community and felt we could offer something to the Oxford area,? Michelle said.
With more than 200 facilities nationwide, The Goddard School offers year round educational and developmental programs for children from six weeks old to six years old. Parents can choose to send children for either a half or full day.
‘It has a wonderful reputation in other states,? Michelle said.
Goddard Schools, a franchise business new to Michigan, are set to open in Orion and Canton townships. Another is being planned for the Rochester/Troy area.
According to Michelle, the Oxford location would employ about 20-25 staff members and be capable of serving up to 120 children.
She chose Oxford because ‘there’s so much growth? out here and she was already familiar with the area having grown up in Lake Orion, where she was educated at St. Joseph Parish School.
‘I have family and lots of friends that live up here,? said Michelle, a former professional ballerina, who danced with the Cincinnati Ballet for four years. ‘I think it’s just a wonderful community.?
Goddard School offers a comprehensive curriculum plus enriching subjects such as language arts, fitness and nutrition, manners, art history, music appreciation and second languages such as Spanish and sign language.
‘It’s a wonderful school that will add a lot to the community,? said Michelle, herself a mother of three. ‘I think it will be very well received.?
Michelle’s ‘not sure? at this point if the Oxford location will offer before and after school care or a kindergarten program.
As the school gets closer to opening, she said they will have to determine whether or not there’s a need in the area for those programs.
She’s anxious for the township to approve the site plan so construction can begin.
‘I’m actually antsy,? Michelle said. ‘I would like to break ground before 2008. If we could open up in 2008, that would be great, but it may be early 2009.?
Once the school opens, Michelle plans to ‘be on-site everyday,? talking to parents and children.
She plans to hire a director and assistant director to ‘deal with the day-to-day school operations as far as teaching staff.?
Peter, who’s an architect, is designing the school’s exterior to fit the shape of the lot.
The interior will be built according to a corporately-mandated floor plan, however, Michelle said she plans to give it a ‘whimsical theme? with ‘fun, bright colors.?
Eventually, Michelle hopes her own children ? Lauren, 10, Reed, 7, and J.P., 6 ? will help out at the school. She said right now, they’re all ‘enthusiastic? about the idea.
‘Hopefully, it will be a fun family business,? she said.
For more information about Goddard School visit www.goddardschool.com.