For over 12 years, Kristi Spear and the staff at The Learning Link Center have given parents peace of mind by helping their children to learn and grow in a safe and encouraging environment.
The center is dedicated to teaching children using various combinations of Montessori-based training and child care experience. The Montessori approach refers to Dr. Maria Montessori, Italy’s first female physician, who helped develop concepts used in teaching such as child-scaled furniture, children learning through play, and grouping children by interest and ability.
Spear, who owns The Learning Link with her husband Gene, is a Montessori-certified teacher. The center’s other staff are experienced caregivers and teachers who work with small groups of students to provide a stimulating atmosphere in which the child can socialize, learn, master “potty training,” and most of all, have fun.
The Learning Link has two facilities: One for infants and toddler care programs, and another for programs for older children. Both offer a unique education environment.
A variety of programs for infants/toddlers meet the physical, emotional and developmental needs of children ages six weeks to three years old.
“Our toddler program offers a truly unique combination of day care and developmental activities designed to challenge and stimulate the ever-growing interests of busy little ones,” says Spear.
The center’s transitional nursery school has a variety of programs for children ages 2 1/2 through 3 1/2 years old.
Students are exposed to art and sensory experiences, computers, weekly and monthly themes, group activities and the basics of the Montessori method of education.
Children enrolled in the transitional program have opportunities to transfer into the preschool and day care programs upon evaluation of their developmental progress and when such openings are available to them.
The staff at The Learning Link are dedicated to Montessori philosophies of teaching, and combine them with traditional developmental concepts to give children a complete learning experience.
The center’s discipline methods are based on an underlying respect for children’s needs and the belief that a child feels more secure when allowed to control his or her own behavior and master his or her environment.
“Basic rules that are consistent will allow for inner discipline and growth of self confidence,” Spear says.
All staff members at The Learning Link are CPR/First Aid certified, and work in a close partnership with parents to provide continuity of care in stimulating surroundings.
“We just wanted to tell you what a great job you are doing with the Center. We feel very fortunate to have found a place where we can entrust our child every day and have no worries while she is there. Thank you very much,” says one parent of a Learning Link student.
“Your positive approach to learning and your phonics program have enabled him to get a wonderful start,” says another parent.
“You should be proud to be such a positive influence on the lives of our precious children,” says another parent.
The Learning Link also offers school-age latch key programs to families in the Lake Orion School District. A before and after program is available for first through fifth graders who attend Carpenter, Stadium, Orion Oaks and Pine Tree Elementary Schools. Bus transportation is provided by the district.
Kindergarten students in these schools are able to use Learning Link for latch key on their school days, and the center now offers care for alternative days of the regular kindergarten programs.
All programs are structured to meet the needs of parents looking for everything from two mornings or afternoons a week to full-time care in both a school year and summer schedule.
The Learning Link is located at 2810 South Lapeer Road. Hours are: 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Mon.-Fri. Parents interested in enrolling their child are encouraged to observe classroom activities at their convenience. The center has openings.
The infant/toddler facility is located at 45 West Greenshield Road. Transitional nursery school/day care programs/preschool/Montessori/before and after school programs are at the Lapeer Road facility.
For more information call (248) 391-9030.