Seeing the World Through Children's Eyes for 40 Years

Elmo led a congo line of children with shakers as they sang to the tunes from entertainer Lynn Lewis' guitar one recent Thursday morning. Parents of the incoming classes at Gingerbread School House reminisced over photos of 1980s alumni adorning the walls.

The entrance to the preschool was decked out with baloons. This was no ordinary open house. It was a celebration of Gingerbread School House's 40th birthday.

Since 1970, families have enrolled their three- and four-year-olds for morning classes.

"It got to the point where we just filled up so quickly," owner, Donna Samuels, said of her school's growing popularity. "We added an afternoon class about 12 years ago."

Samuels is Gingerbread's second owner. The school, located in Beardsley Hall on Monroe Congregational Church's 32 Church St. campus, was started by Jearline Lucas.

"I worked here 12 years, then bought the business in 2000 when I was assistant director," Samuels said.

The building also has a storied history. Part of Gingerbread is an addition to Beardsley Hall that was once the Monroe Center School.

According to the Monroe Historical Society, the one-room schoolhouse was built on Wheeler Road (then Schoolhouse Road) in 1830 and moved to the church property on rollers in 1935, where it served as an annex to the north end of Beardsley Hall.

Two of Gingerbread School House's classrooms are in a newer addition, built in 1956, Samuels said.

But the people make up the real story of Gingerbread School House.

A decade ago, Samuels first noticed graduates enrolling their own children there.

"We have a family where the father went and now their third child goes here," Samuels said. "We get calls every once in a while with people saying, 'I went here,' or 'My husband went here.'"

Samuels was painting one day when a church lady stopped by and said, "My son was one of the first kids to come here."

When parents shop around for a preschool, Samuels said they assess what a place looks like and the curriculum, but added, "I think the most important thing is the staff. We don't have big turnover. Dee Dee Martin was here 16 years and others were here for 12."

Teachers include Martin, Linda Caballero and Cindy O'Rourke.

"The unique thing about us is we're here because we want to be,"Martin said. "It's a job, but we love it."

"Parents want to feel secure in the fact that they're leaving their children in a safe, loving place," Samuels said. "Normally, this is a child's first school experience and we want it to be a positive one. Our goal is for children to love going to school."

By design, Samuels said every teacher had a child who graduated from Gingerbread. Apart from certifications, she believes knowing first-hand how good a teacher is with children is important.

"I think the preschool experience is special because it's really the only time that you can talk to a teacher everyday and get immediate feedback," Samuels said. "When kids are older, they take the bus."

Teachers also get something out of it.

"My children are now finished with college," Samuels said. "I love this age group. Everyday you still get to see the world through little children's eyes. It's a special thing and I think it keeps you young."

Morning classes are from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and afternoon from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Three-year-olds go to school on Tuesday and Thursday and four-year-olds on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. To register your child for next year, call 203-268-6611.