Bentley Community School District is proud to announce the grand opening of its new preschool building--Bentley Little Bulldog Learning Center, a significant milestone in the community's commitment to supporting early childhood education. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new facility, which dramatically increases the district's capacity for young learners, will be held on Friday, January 16, at noon.
The project was made possible through a generous donation of the building and property by McLaren Health Care Corporation, an organization dedicated to community wellness. Further support came from the Bentley community, which generously passed a bond to fund the extensive renovations required to transform the space into a state-of-the-art learning environment.
Previously, the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) was run by GISD and could only accommodate 18 children. With the new facility, Bentley was able to assume responsibility for preschool programming--with the support of GISD--expanding its capacity to serve 48 children, with only seven seats remaining available for enrollment. A fourth classroom is also dedicated to supporting additional early childhood programming, allowing for future growth and flexibility.
The interior design of the building, conceived and overseen by Progressive Companies, reflects a nature theme that complements the district's innovative partnership with For-Mar Nature Preserve & Arboretum. Through this collaboration, students participate in a nature-based program twice a week, fostering a love for the outdoors and hands-on learning experiences from an early age. Progressive also managed the entire renovation project, ensuring a seamless transformation.
"We are incredibly proud to partner with our broader community in meeting the needs of our little learners," said Dr. Kristy Spann, Superintendent of Bentley Community School District. "This new facility is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together – a space where our youngest students can thrive, learn, and grow."
The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place just days before preschoolers officially move into their new space on the first day of the second semester. The community is invited to attend the event at 1198 N Belsay Rd, Burton to tour the facility and celebrate this exciting new chapter for early childhood education in the district.
Questions may be directed to kspann@bentleyschools.org.