Wildcat Early Learning Center: Expanding to meet Licking’s preschool needs

Wildcat Early Learning Center expanded to two classes this school year, serving more than 40 students, and more growth is anticipated, says Instructor/Director Teresa Clonts. Their two-day preschool/kindergarten screenings on Thursday and Friday, March 19 and 20, have already filled up. As a result, they will be scheduling more screenings at a later date.

The preschool is finishing its 23rd year of existence in Licking, and their third decade has shown a flurry of growth. The preschool program moved from their previous location on Walker Street into an Elementary School trailer at the beginning of the 2024-25 school year and quickly grew into the extra space provided.

In the current school year, an extra class was added, and Mrs. Sarah Williams joined Mrs. Clonts as a preschool instructor. In addition, numerous aides help out at the preschool and are vital to its success. A half-day program for three-year-olds was added this year, and the all-day program for four-year-olds continues. Mrs. Clonts anticipates a third class will be started in the future to accommodate Early Childhood Special Education for three- and four-year-olds.

In the spring of each year, the preschool tries to screen all children in the district who will be preschool age in the upcoming year. From those screenings, admission is based on the child’s need for preschool education. There are no more open appointments during the two-day screening period for preschool and kindergarten students in the 2026-27 school year, but additional times will be scheduled at another time, assured Mrs. Clonts.

“We’re excited to see a new batch of kids and watch our program grow,” she said. “We are so proud of our program and of our parents and community support.”

The preschool began in the 2002-2003 school year, with Mrs. Janis Rensch guiding the program for the first eight years of its existence. Class size was limited to 20 students, but the dream even then was to grow into a bigger program. By the third year, their class was full and it remained full with a waiting list thereafter.

Mrs. Clonts has been director of the program since the fall of 2010. The program is now fully funded under Title 1, and children who participated in the Parents as Teachers (PAT) program are considered first for acceptance. Mrs. Clonts and Mrs. Jordan Pounds (who runs the school’s daycare) serve prenatal to kindergarten families with the PAT program.

The Wildcat Early Learning Center staff provide learning experiences for the preschoolers both in the classroom and in the community. They take advantage of opportunities to learn when they present themselves, and try to incorporate fun into the process, keeping the children engaged and learning.

Preschool education can have many benefits for children, including

• Early exposure to letters, numbers, shapes and colors, setting the stage for academic growth.

• Enhancement of fine and gross motor skills. Fine motor skills can be enhanced with activities like coloring and building, and physical playtime promotes gross motor skills. These skills are essential for writing, drawing, participating in sports, playing an instrument and more.

• Socialization and emotional growth, which are encouraged in the preschool setting. Children learn to share toys, take turns and work together.

• The growth of emotional intelligence. Children learn to perceive and empathize with others’ emotions, and to build interpersonal connections. They also learn to regulate their own emotions.

• The introduction to routines and structure. This prepares children for the rest of their educational journey and for life in general. Routines contribute to a child’s sense of security and predictability, which is vital for safe and steady development.

“Preschool is for all children,” said Mrs. Clonts. “It is very important for their education. Learning starts early.”

For more information about the Wildcat Early Learning Center at Licking Elementary School, call the elementary office and ask for Mrs. Teresa Clonts or Mrs. Sarah Williams. For questions regarding PAT, contact Mrs. Clonts or Mrs. Jordan Pounds in the same manner. The elementary phone number is 573-674-3211. If you prefer, you can email questions to Mrs. Clonts at Tclonts@licking.k12.mo.us, or Mrs. Williams at Swilliams@licking.k12.mo.us.