Honey Bee Academy Daycare Opening in Dexter

In order to accommodate an increased community need, Honey Bee Academy daycare center is expanding its infant and toddler programs and opening a new location at 7415 Dexter Pinckney Road in September.

Owner Melissa Pangle leased the space from the building's previous tenants, Creative Caring Daycare, in May, and said she is eager to bring her unique entrepreneurial vision to Dexter.

"The goal is to provide a stable, nurturing environment for children," she said. "Too many daycare facilities feel cold to me. Toddlers and prechool-age children are still in their formidable years, and they need consistent care."

Pangle's background is in nursing, but she said early childhood development has been her true calling.

"I didn't always know that childcare would be my career. I began my education in medicine, gaining my certified nursing degree. As I awaited my placement I chose to study early childhood education because I had worked in childcare centers for years already. During this time I realized my heart just wasn't in the doctors office," she said. "I knew I wouldn't get rich be being a teacher or a childcare provider but I found it to be more satisfying then any hospital could ever make me. To watch the children grow and mature from tiny infants to school age is amazing to me."

After 13 years working in childcare development, Pangle opened her own childcare center based out of her home in 2004.

"Starting with one child, I eventually grew into a waitlisted home, always full, of both children and energy. I gained so much through my education that I felt as though I could expand and provide more accessible care by opening a center in Dexter," she said.

Honey Bee's staff, which includes eight teachers with degrees in early childhood education, prides itself in hands-on learning.

"Children will learn their alphabet, counting, and other requirements to prepare them for kindergarten, but everything will be done by manipulating tactile objects," she said.

Pangle said each week will have a different theme, and teachers can craft their lesson plans around individual students. Programs for toddlers will focus on motor skill development, music exploration, language exploration, and basic alphabets, among others.

"Infants learn best by exploration and repetition. They aren't capable of following a set schedule, each child is an individual so they learn at their own pace at our school," she said.

Toddlers and children in the 3 and 4 age group will have a more structured program that includes group play time, and instruction in math, science and reading.

"Our toddlers are encouraged to explore with all their senses, choose activities and materials that foster creativity, and use their emerging large and small motor skills. Toddlers start to follow a simple daily routine, which will be built upon as they age," Pangle said.

Joan Lauer, a resident of Grass Lake, said she is looking forward to the new facility especially in light of recent news about by August.

"It will be nice to have some place close by that I can drop my children at while I am working without having to worry about taking time off," she said.

Pangle acknowledged that there are several daycare choices for Dexter residents, but said she feels her facility will provide quality care without "breaking the bank."

"Not every family has two doctors or two lawyers in it," she said. "My goal is to be more affordable and family friendly for people living on a budget."

The daycare is currently accepting enrollment for the fall, and is planning an open house for mid-August. Prices range from $160 a week for infants, and $180 a week for toddlers. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with extended hours available until 10 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information, visit http://honeybeeacademy.webs.com/.